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 database on algal toxins, and a HAB expert directory. The HAIS provides the basis for the ‘Global HAB Status Report’ launched on 8 June 2021. The next edition of GHSR is under planning.
The Eighteenth Session of the IOC-FAO Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB-XVIII) will meet on 16-18 March 2027 at FAO Headquarters in Rome.
The Seventeenth Session of the IOC-FAO Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB-XVII) was held on 18-20 March 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
IOC Identification of Harmful Marine Microalgae 2026
IOC Training Course and Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae, September-October 2026 Since 1993 the IOC has conducted training courses on harmful microalgae. The purpose has been to improve the taxonomic and identification skills of the...
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 Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae 2026 (Registration for 2026 is closed)
- IRTA-IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae International Phytoplankton Intercomparison (IPI) test 2026 (Registration for 2026 is closed)
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.