Workshop: Preparing for Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal AL and MS

As the Gulf of Mexico begins to warm up this season, so does the possibility of harmful algal blooms (HABs) entering our area. Sometimes referred to in the popular press as a red tide, these toxic phytoplankton blooms grow quickly under the right conditions and have the potential to impact the health of marine life and humans living on nearby shores. Moreover, HAB events can close fisheries and deter tourists, causing localities to take an economic hit as well.

For that reason, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, in partnership with the National Centers for Environmental Information, is hosting a free half-day workshop, "Preparing for harmful algal blooms in coastal Alabama and Mississippi," from 1 to 4:30 pm on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at the NOAA Disaster Response Center in Mobile, Alabama.

Sessions will address the concerns of natural resource managers, commercial fishers, shellfish growers and harvesters, and tourism professionals. Additionally, attendees will have an opportunity to review a new online tool that tracks HAB activity around the Gulf. To register for this event, follow this link.