The life with harmful algae in Norway - management

Abstract

Harmful phytoplankton is a part of the natural, marine flora. The need for management and mitigation of their occurrence and effects has raised with the increased use and utilization of the coastal waters. Besides fisheries, fish farming and harvesting/cultivation of bivalves are activities in Norway, which have experienced problems, including economic losses, due to harmful algae. Management tools for tackling such problems and minimize losses are proper site selection of aquaculture installations, regular monitoring of algae and fast spreading of actual information to the industry and public. In some cases the information has included a kind of risk assessment and advice on how to adapt to the situation. When harmful blooms appear we usually put efforts on mapping of the distribution of the bloom, including its propagation and transport with surface currents. For new species blooming we have in addition looked for potential unknown toxins involved with special emphasis on control of organisms exposed to the bloom.