Studying econ losses by toxic algae

Across America, the seafood, restaurant and tourism industries have suffered millions of dollars in economic losses from harmful algal blooms from California to Florida, but the true economic losses caused by toxic algae blooms are unknown. The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) and NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) are funding two new studies designed to uncover the full costs of harmful algal blooms (HABs) across numerous sectors - from tourism and seafood to healthcare and construction. Florida is especially vulnerable to the socioeconomic damages of toxic blooms. This was apparent during the prolonged red tide that occurred from 2017 through early 2019 causing the state’s governor to declare a state of emergency. While most species are harmless to humans and animals, some, like the Karenia brevis, which causes Florida’s red tide, are toxic. When these species multiply they can wreak havoc on human and marine animal health, contaminate seafood and devastate local economies. The first of the studies, “From Bloom to Bust: Estimating Economic Losses and Impacts of Florida Red Tide (Karenia brevis),” will be conducted by Drs. Sergio Alvarez from the University of Central Florida and Dr. Heather O’Leary from the University of South Florida. The second, “Assessment of the short- and long-term socioeconomic impacts of Florida’s 2017-2019 Red Tide event,” will be conducted by Drs. Christa Court, Xiang Bi, Jin Won Kim, Angie Lindsey, Stephen Morgan, Andrew Ropicki and Ricky Telg from the University of Florida and David Yoskowitz from the Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi. (Source: GCOOS 04/28/20) https://gcoos.org/tracking-habs/