Harmful Algal Bloom Watch
Interest and awareness of harmful algal blooms (HABs) has brought together scientists and informal educators in the Southern California Bight to form a volunteer harmful algal bloom monitoring network called HABWatch. This effort increases the number of eyes on the ocean for early detection and sets into place a method for rapid response.
This project was funded by Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System with support from USC Sea Grant and COSEE West. The next steps include development of educational resources to use in outreach to visitors at each of the centers.
HABWatch Program Resources
Sampling and Reporting Protocols
- Protocol for HAB Sample Collection
- Protocol for New Tow Relative Abundance
- Tips & Tricks for Collecting a Net Tow
- HABWatch Log Sheet
- Access HABWatch Data Portal
- Instructions to join HABWatch and submit data
Plankton ID Guides
- Southern California Bight HAB Phytoplankton ID Guide
- Phytoplankton Size Scale Guide
- Guide to Common Inshore Marine Plankton of Southern California
Training Materials
HABWatch Partners
- Wrigley Center for Environmental Studies
- Santa Barbara Natural History Museum
- Channel Islands National Park
- National Marine Sanctuary
- Santa Monica Pier Aquarium
- Los Angeles Conservation Corps SEA Lab
- Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
- Los Angeles Maritime Institute
- Aquarium of the Pacific
- Back Bay Science Center
- Port of Los Angeles High School
- Ocean Institute
For more information
- Linda Chilton (Director of Education Programs)
- Erica Seubert
Blog entry: All Eyes on the Water
- USC Sea Grant
- 3454 Trousdale Pkwy, CAS 200
- Los Angeles, CA 90089-0373
- (213) 740 - 1961
- seagrant@usc.edu
