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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T133000
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SUMMARY:Congressional Estuaries Caucus Harmful Algal Bloom Briefing
DESCRIPTION:We look forward to welcoming you to today’s briefing on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and their growing impacts on U.S. estuaries and coastal communities. \nTODAY 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM\nRayburn House Office Building 2253\nOpen to congressional staff and members of the public\nThis timely discussion will feature remarks from the Congressional Estuary Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Bonamici\, Rep. Haridopolos\, and Rep. Larsen as well as a thoughtful dicsussion led by Mike De Luca\, Director of the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve and panelists: \n\nChristine Tang\, President\, EarthCorps\nKatherine Schake\, Manager\, Kachemak Bay Reserve (AK)\nKatherine Hubbard\, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute\, HAB Task Force Chair\n\nThey will highlight the increasing frequency and severity of HABs across the country and their impacts on public health\, fisheries\, recreation\, and local economies. Harmful algal blooms occur when colonies of algae grow out of control and produce toxic or otherwise harmful effects on people\, fish\, shellfish\, marine mammals\, birds\, and pets. \nEvery U.S. coastal and Great Lakes state experiences HABs.\nThis nationwide threat affects drinking water supplies\, commercial and recreational fisheries\, tourism\, and community health. The briefing will also discuss the federal role in HAB response and prevention\, including coordination among federal agencies\, states\, municipalities\, and private citizens. \nWhat is a harmful algal bloom?\n\n\n\n\n\nHarmful algal blooms\, or HABs\, occur when colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people\, fish\, shellfish\, marine mammals and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs\, though rare\, can be debilitating or even fatal. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRanging from microscopic\, single-celled organisms to large seaweeds\, algae are simple plants that form the base of food webs. Sometimes\, however\, their roles are more sinister. Under the right conditions\, algae may grow out of control — and a few of these “blooms” produce toxins that can kill fish\, mammals and birds\, and may cause human illness or even death in extreme cases. Other algae are nontoxic\, but eat up all of the oxygen in the water as they decay\, clog the gills of fish and invertebrates\, or smother corals and submerged aquatic vegetation. Still others discolor water\, form huge\, smelly piles on beaches or contaminate drinking water. Collectively\, these events are called harmful algal blooms\, or HABs. \n\nHarmful Algal Blooms Impact Everyone\nThese blooms are a national concern because they affect not only the health of people and marine ecosystems\, but also the “health” of our economy — especially coastal communities dependent on the income of jobs generated through fishing and tourism. These blooms occur in fresh and salt water alike\, wreaking havoc on drinking water\, fisheries\, and outdoor recreation as the unsafe water poses a health risk to people and pets. With climate change and increasing nutrient pollution potentially causing HABs to occur more often and in locations not previously affected\, it’s important for us to learn as much as we can about how and why they form and where they are\, so that we can reduce their harmful effects. \nWhat can be done?\nOn the federal level\, management of harmful algal blooms requires close coordination between municipal\, state\, and federal bodies\, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)\, the US Environmental Protection Agency\, the Food and Drug Administration\, the US Geological Survey\, and the Centers for Disease Control to monitor and address health risks.
URL:https://estuaries.org/event/congressional-estuaries-caucus-harmful-algal-bloom-briefing/
LOCATION:Rayburn House Office Building 2253\, 2167 Rayburn House Office Building\, Washington\, DC\, 20515
CATEGORIES:Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://estuaries.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Summit-Logo-Postcard-US-11.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Restore America's Estuaries":MAILTO:rae@estuaries.org
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