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.
IOC Identification of Harmful Marine Microalgae, ‘Brush-up’ 2024
Since 1993 the IOC has conducted training courses on harmful microalgae. In its present format, the course gives accreditation in HAB identification through a practical exam at the end of the course which qualifies for the ‘IOC Certificate of Proficiency in...
Developing an Early Warning System for Harmful Algal Blooms in Morocco
UNESCO and the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH) of Morocco join forces to begin developing a national early warning system (EWS) for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) for the North African nation. The two entities co-organised a workshop on 5-8 December 2022...
EVENTS
- IOC Training Course and Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae 2024 – ‘Brush-up’ (Registration Closed)
- OCHABs-IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae International Phytoplankton Intercomparison (IPI) test 2024 (Registration Closed)
- International Workshop on Solutions to Control HABs in Marine and Estuarine Waters
The Global HAB Status Report (GHSR) for the first time compiled an overview of Harmful Algal Bloom events and their societal impacts. Here is the synthesis of this unprecedented seven-year study.
