This past October, students, scientists, and industry professionals gathered in Portland, Maine for the 12th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae. The six-day conference operated under the theme “ONE BLOOM: Unifying Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Science in Aquatic Ecosystems,” focused on identifying and highlighting commonalities across diverse study systems and disciplines within HAB research.
More than 500 participants from government agencies, private companies, academia, and nonprofit organizations came together to share the latest research, discuss innovative solutions, and strengthen collaborative networks. Attendees participated in presentations, panels, poster sessions, and networking events designed to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and problem-solving.
The symposium opened with remarks from Richard Friesner, NEIWPCC director of Water Quality Programs, who emphasized the importance of the event’s theme. “The interconnectedness of our water systems and the shared responsibility to protect them are central to addressing HABs,” he said, urging participants to consider the universal principles of sustainable management and ecological health in both freshwater and marine algal science.
Debbie Bronk, president and CEO of Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, followed with a call for increasing partnerships and resource sharing, stating, “Aquatic science has always been collaborative, but we need to take that into overdrive.”
Throughout the week, the agenda featured more than 180 oral presentations, plenary sessions, and speed talks on topics including HAB management and mitigation, emerging toxins, predictive modeling, public health, and socioeconomic impacts. An additional 180 researchers presented their work in poster sessions, providing opportunities for in-depth discussions. Among the presenters were 68 students, six of whom received awards from the National HAB Committee for their outstanding contributions: Ronojoy Hem (Stony Brook University), Lilly Blume (Virginia Institute of Marine Science), Christopher McLimans (University of Oklahoma), Yuan Li (University of Minnesota), Savannah Mapes (Virginia Institute of Marine Science), and Aaliyah Downing (Old Dominion University).
The symposium concluded with a compelling plenary session by Jan Landsberg (Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission), Alison Robertson (University of South Alabama), and Michael Parsons (Florida Gulf Coast University), who discussed the “spinning fish” phenomenon observed in the lower Florida Keys recently. Elevated levels of the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus, a single-celled organism, and associated algal toxins in the area were linked to unusual fish behavior and increased mortality, suggesting a harmful algal bloom as a likely cause.
Participants also had the opportunity to join networking events, including pre-conference workshops, a bowling night, and a Halloween-themed dance party. Late night sessions focused on federal funding opportunities and the National HAB Observing Network (NHABON), offering additional chances for collaboration. The symposium was hosted by NEIWPCC in partnership with by the U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and numerous other program sponsors.
For more information about NEIWPCC’s involvement with harmful algal blooms, contact Maryann Dugan at mdugan@neiwpcc.org.