Florida’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Problem: Escalating Risks to Human, Environmental and Economic Health With Climate Change

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) pose unique risks to the citizens, stakeholders, visitors, environment and economy of state Florida. Florida has been historically subjected reoccurring blooms toxic marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (C. C. Davis) G. Hansen & Moestrup since at least first contact with explorers in 1500’s. However, ongoing immigration more than 100,000 people year –1 into state, elevated population densities coastal areas attendant rapid, often unregulated development, eutrophication, climate change impacts (e.g., increasing hurricane severity, increases water temperature, ocean acidification sea level rise) likely increased occurrence other HABs, both freshwater marine, within as well number impacted by these blooms. Currently, over 75 freshwater, estuarine, HAB species are routinely monitored agencies. While only K. , Pyrodinium bahamense (Böhm) Steidinger, Tester, Taylor diatom Pseudo-nitzschia spp. have resulted closure commercial shellfish beds, species, including cyanobacteria, either imminent or unknown human, environmental economic health. related human health can be classified those consumption contaminated finfish, bloom toxin exposure aerosolized toxins. acute illnesses resulting from brevetoxin-, saxitoxin-, domoic acid-contaminated minimized effective monitoring regulation, due exposures, e.g., ciguatoxins cyanotoxins, not documented understood. Aerosolized toxins potentially impact largest short-term (days weeks) brevetoxin decreased respiratory function for at-risk subgroups such asthmatics), little is known longer term (>1 month) posed cyanotoxin [e.g., microcystin, ?- N -methylamino- L -alanine (BMAA)] exposure. Environmental best studied HABs include significant dies-offs fish, mammals, seabirds turtles, negative on larval juvenile stages many biota. When present, brevetoxins found throughout column widespread pelagic benthic The presence living tissue fish mammals suggests that food web transfer occurring, transport beyond spatial temporal range may occur regularly Climate impacts, temperature effects cell metabolism, shifting circulation patterns changes duration, exacerbate dynamics. Secondary also possible hypoxia anoxia biomass and/or decomposition mortalities. Economic diverse multiple stakeholder groups. Direct costs hospital visits) recreational fisheries significant, especially wide-spread sustained HABs. Recreational tourism-based industries which sustain a portion Florida’s vulnerable direct declines hotel occupancy rates restaurant users) indirect publicity associated job losses) established, remains susceptible future large scale management practices, degrading quality, potential between systems state’s vulnerability impacts.