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IOC HAB PROGRAMME

Every coastal country in the world is potentially affected by harmful blooms of microscopic algae, also called phytoplankton. These blooms can kill marine life and even cause death in humans. The Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Programme of the IOC help Member States develop the research and management capacity needed to understand the causes of these blooms, predict their occurrences, and mitigate their effects. IOC provides training and capacity development in species identification, toxicity testing, and monitoring and management strategies.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Harmful Algal Information System and Global HAB Status Report

The Harmful Algal Information System, HAIS, consist of access to information on current use of taxonomic names of harmful algae, on harmful algal events, on information on biogeography of harmful algal species, a HAB expert directory and during 2021 of a database on algal toxins. The HAIS provides the basis for the Global HAB Status Report launched on 8 June 2021.

The Sixteenth Session of the IOC-FAO Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB-XVI) was held on 27-29 March 2023 at FAO Headquarters in Rome.