National science strategy outlines next decade of HABs research priorities

A national group of scientific experts on harmful algal blooms (HABs) that includes SCCWRP has developed a 10-year strategy outlining how the U.S. should coordinate and prioritize the next decade of investments in HABs research.

The Harmful Algal Research and Response: A National Environmental Science Strategy (HARRNESS) – released in July by the U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms – is closely aligned with the HAB strategies that California has already developed for studying and managing HABs in both freshwater and marine environments.

Moreover, the national strategy points to multiple key California HAB investments – including the California Cyanobacteria and HAB Network (CCHABs) – as national models for how to coordinate HABs research and monitoring among state agencies, researchers and stakeholders.

SCCWRP’s Dr. Jayme Smith serves on the 26-member Scientific Steering Committee that oversaw the strategy’s development. The newly released strategy is an update to the group’s original HARRNESS strategy, which covered the period 2005-2015.