Sensors for Monitoring Harmful Algae, Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins

5 the scallop season in St. Joseph Bay (Florida) due to elevated domoic acid concentrations (K. Landeck, posted July 25, 2017); 3) blooms of toxic Microcystis in Lake Erie in summer 2017, the latest in a near-annual occurrence (T.J. Pignataro, posted July 25, 2017); and 4) bird mortality and sea lion illness events attributed to domoic acid in Southern California (C. Carlson, posted April 20, 2017). The HAB community faces further challenge, as the single most important law focused on HAB research (Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act; HABHRCA 1998, P.L. 105-383; HABHRCA 2004, P.L. 108–456; HABHRCA 2014, Public Law 113–124) is currently up for re-authorization. This Act mandates that NOAA work toward advancing our understanding of and abilities for HAB event detection, monitoring, assessment and prediction. Additionally, NOAA has been developing an Ecological Forecasting Roadmap (EFR) for coordinated and systematic approaches to ecological forecasts, with HABs as a priority focus. Charge questions presented at the workshop were designed to address the goals of both mandates, as outlined in more detail below. This report serves to outline the consensus findings and lay groundwork for moving forward towards the next steps in increased platform integration, meeting the next levels of stakeholder needs and increasing partnerships and access to large data sets. W ORKSHOP O VERVIEW The workshop brought together a broad range of experts from regional, national and international agencies. Participants (see Steering Committee and Participants sections below) were able to provide a breadth of knowledge from the fields of instrumentation, moored systems, molecular biology and public health. Many of these contributors are involved with state and regional partnerships focused on problematic HAB events in their respective geographic locations. Representatives of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing Program (IOOS) and Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) were also in attendance. The variety of professional backgrounds and experience provided dimension to discussion items, allowing for different aspects of the charge questions to be addressed in greater depth from across a range of perspectives. The majority of the workshop focused on a series of breakout sessions and open discussions guided by a set of charge questions. However, the agenda included several short plenary presentations to provide examples of technology in use for management applications, updates on IOOS and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) investments in HAB sensor technology and highlights from initiatives in Australia. R. Kudela (UCSC) presented examples of how we are advancing our ability for early detection and mapping of species and their toxins by ‘wiring the ocean’ with various sensors and platforms. T. Davis (NOAA-GLERL) provided an update on the multi-platform framework being utilized in Lake Erie to guide monitoring, prediction, forecasting and research of Microcystis . A. Lara-Lopez (IMOS) outlined Australia’s multidisciplinary approach to systematic and sustained observing of the 80-100 HAB species along that country’s coastline. J. Rhoades (NOAA-IOOS) and M. Suddleson (NOAA-NCCOS) gave an overview of their respective research programs and provided examples of NOAA supported HAB technology development, demonstration, and commercialization. The plenary sessions also enabled workshop participants to consider pathways to sustain existing and planned sensor networks currently funded via research grants; how sensors could support ecological forecasting initiatives; and how sensors might better meet needs of public water utilities, aquaculture operations and other HAB impacted industries. The group also recognized a need for improved data products to meet a variety of research, management, and public needs.