Mote/FMRI cooperative red tide research program: progress report for the first report period.

Abstract

Potent neurotoxins produced by Florida red tide cause massive fish kills, contaminate shellfish and cause severe irritation to the respiratory system of marine mammals. Public health also is affected through exposure to the airborne toxins and ingestion of contaminated shellfish. A Federal initiative is underway through ECOHAB-FL to determine the factors that control the initiation and development of harmful algal blooms (HAB's) in the Gulf of Mexico, applying the information toward predictive models. This report summarizes activities of a cooperative research effort between Mote Marine Laboratory (MML) and the Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) that was undertaken to supplement the ECOHAB-FL program, providing information to address issues of special interest to the State of Florida. This study was an amendment and represents the 3rd year of the Program, between September 1, 2001 - November 30, 2002. This project focuses on five major areas of study: 1) red tide monitoring, 2) ecology of HAB's, 3) health effects of HAB's, 4) socioeconomic aspects of HAB's and 5) public education and outreach.