US to expand harmful algal bloom detection with $101.5m investment

The US is to invest $101.5 million in ocean observation, expanding services and modernizing NOAA’s U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), including better detection and monitoring of potential dangerous ocean events such as harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion and marine heatwaves.

The funding, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, will enhance data collection and service delivery across U.S. coastal and Great Lakes regions, helping communities build resilience against climate change, NOAA has announced.

"Ocean observations provide critical data and information that we rely on — like weather forecasts and water quality information. Maritime industries, like this aquaculture farm, need timely, high-quality ocean, coastal and Great Lakes data for informed decision making," NOAA said, announcing the news.

Harmful algal blooms, rapid overgrowths of algae in water that can produce harmful toxins, pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and maritime industries, including aquaculture. Several regional observing systems, including those in Alaska, California, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest, will now receive funding to improve HAB detection and monitoring.

The Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS), for example, will use part of its $5 million funding to expand harmful algal bloom detection capabilities along the California coast.

Similarly, the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) will focus on detecting HABs and other hazards like hypoxia and marine heatwaves in the Pacific Northwest.

The federal investment aims to provide timely and accurate data on ocean and coastal conditions, crucial for maritime industries, ecosystem management, and public safety, NOAA states. In addition to HAB monitoring, the funds will also support various projects focused on water quality, ocean acidification, and coastal hazard mitigation, ensuring a broad impact on both environmental protection and community preparedness.

“Ocean, coastal and Great Lakes data and information are vital to building coastal resilience to the impacts of climate change,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D.

“With this historic investment, the IOOS Regional Associations will introduce transformational change by expanding the network of community partners, growing the data user community and building the capabilities needed to better serve their regions," Spinrad added.

In total, 12 projects are being funded through this investment, in the states of Alaska and California, and in multi-state regions of the Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Pacific North-west, U.S. Caribbean Islands, U.S. Pacific Islands, and the Southeast Region.

The funding is also intended to prioritize equitable service delivery, particularly in underserved and Indigenous communities, ensuring they have the tools needed to manage coastal challenges effectively.