HABs
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Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a global problem, and are becoming even more global in scope because of the spread of organisms through ballast water transport and other means. William Silvert has carried out research on the persistence of algal toxins in shellfish and has also been involved with several initiatives to improve communication among scientists working in this field. Recently he has been getting involved in modelling the dynamics of HABs and has written a paper about alternate approaches to HAB modelling which was presented at the LIFEHAB Workshop in Mallorca in October 2001.

The following links are included at this site because Dr. Silvert has had an previous association or has played a supporting role - he does not claim credit for them. These have not been updated for several years so some links may be broken.

LIFEHAB

The report of the LIFEHAB workshop on "Life histories of microalgal species causing harmful blooms" sponsored by Marine Science and Technology Programme of the European Commission is available at http://www.icm.csic.es/bio/projects/lifehab/.

PHYCOTOXINS Mailing List

William Silvert originally set up a mailing list for dissemination of information about marine phycotoxins while he was still working in Canada. The list is now run by Don Richard of the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency).  There are currently about 600 subscribers throughout the world.  Topics include the reporting of bloom events, fish kills, poisonings, conferences and workshops announcements, requests for information, job postings and other issues related to phycotoxins, as well as related issues of non-toxic but harmful blooms and ballast water transfer of invasive species.

You can subscribe to the PHYCOTOXINS list and search recent archives at the PHYCOTOXINS website, which has been relocated to http://www.phycotoxins.ca.

The Bates Bibliography

One of the noteworthy resources in the HAB field is a Bibliography on Domoic Acid and Pseudo-nitzschia compiled by Dr. Stephen S. Bates of the Marine Environmental Sciences Division of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO). This extensive bibliography, which is revised frequently, is available at http://www.phycotoxins.ca.

ISSHA

The International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHA) was founded in 1997, in response to a request from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO for an international program on harmful algae.  The overall mandate of the Society is to promote and foster research and training programs on harmful algae, and to co-sponsor meetings on this topic at the national, regional, and international level. Dr. Stephen S. Bates is the Secretary of ISSHA.

Developed and maintained by William Silvert.