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Florida's Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Committees
Five committees or working groups have been established since the Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force meeting in 2002. The purpose of these groups is to address harmful algal bloom research, monitoring, and response priorities.
The Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force (FHABTF) was established in 1997 to investigate critical harmful algal bloom (HAB) issues affecting Florida waters and to recommend actions. During a 5-year period from 1997 through 2002, HAB issues were addressed and appropriate priority recommendations made as outlined in the "White Paper", Harmful Algal Blooms in Florida (Steidinger et al., 1999). Although the last official meeting of the FHABTF was held in April 2002, an increasing number of HAB events, from multiple microalgal species to new and emerging HAB issues, have affected public health and natural resources in the state. Several initiatives have been taken. Five committees or working groups have been established that address HAB research, monitoring, and response priorities:
- Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Public Health Technical Panel
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) along with the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) established an ad hoc group in 2005 known as the Florida HAB Public Health Technical Panel to further address outstanding public health issues from HABs. Grant funds for this initiative were provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and were awarded to FWC/FWRI through the FDOH.
Panel meetings have been held annually since establishment of this ad hoc group. The second panel meeting, entitled the “Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Public Health Workshop Agenda: Information for Developing Local Response Capacity,” was held at FWRI in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 9–10, 2006, with input from more than 70 participants (including public health, environmental, natural resource, agricultural, and research professionals representing state and county agencies; universities; and private laboratories). From this meeting, a document entitled "Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Public Health Technical Panel Report: Information for Developing Local Response Capacity to Harmful Algal Blooms" was drafted and will serve as a resource to guide state and local governments in developing HAB response plans. This document is currently under review and is expected for publication as a technical report.
- Interagency Response Coordination for Cyanobacteria
During fiscal year (FY) 2006–2007, an unfunded ad hoc working group known as the “Interagency Response Coordination Group for Cyanobacteria” was developed in cooperation with three agencies1. Additionally, scientific and managerial experts in HABs and its impacts, including representatives from additional agencies2, met. The groups addressed both sustained and new issues from cyanobacteria blooms, toxins, and public and natural resource health risks in state waters.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) facilitated the group to establish statewide standard operating procedures for sampling cyanobacteria blooms. The same group is currently working to establish interagency response plans for cyanobacteria blooms throughout state waters. The last meeting, held in February 2008, was to begin development of a state of Florida Interagency Cyanobacteria Bloom Response Plan.
- Florida HAB Task Force Recreational Harvesting Group
During FY 2006–2007, an unfunded ad hoc working group, called the FHABTF Recreational Harvesting group, was developed to address the sharp increase in neurotoxic shellfish poisoning cases linked to recreationally harvested shellfish beds (from brevetoxins produced by Karenia brevis red tides). When some individuals in southwest Florida were hospitalized after consuming the toxic shellfish, there was an important need for the state to address shellfish harvesting and public health risks in areas outside of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (FDACS) jurisdiction. The FDOH was given approval by FWRI to initiate this group, which would act under the authority of the FHABTF.
An initial conference call was held on April 5, 2007, with representatives from three state agencies3. This group continues to discuss the development of response plans to these events, as well as appropriate outreach materials to better inform the public.
- The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Biotoxin and Aquatic Animal Health Working Group
The Indian River Lagoon Biotoxin and Aquatic Animal Health Working Group was created in 2003 with representatives from several agencies4 to specifically address HABs and their impacts in the region.
An element of this working group met in 2007 to assess the expansion of saxitoxin-producing Pyrodinium blooms in the Indian River Lagoon, sustained health risks to the public and natural resources, and impacts on local economies. This group is well-established and has been included in the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (see http://www.sjrwmd.com/indianriverlagoon/pdfs/CCMP_Draft_021808.pdf, Biotoxins and Aquatic Animal Health Action Plan).
- Red Tide Control and Mitigation Grant Program Panel
Under Florida Statutes, Chapter 370.06093 (see http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm, Title XXVIII, Chapter 370, 370.06093, Harmful-algal-bloom program; implementation; goals; funding), “(2) A financial disbursement program is created within the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute to implement the provisions of this act. Under the program, the institute shall provide funding and technical assistance to government agencies, research universities, local coastal governments, and organizations with scientific and technical expertise for the purposes of harmful algal bloom research, economic impact study, monitoring, detection, control, and mitigation (or relief). The program may be funded from state, federal, and private contributions.”
In response to an identified state need, FWC/FWRI established a Red Tide Control and Mitigation (RTCM) Grant Program to disburse annually appropriated funds to explore environmentally acceptable techniques or technologies for potential control or relief of red tide blooms and their effects in Florida. In 2006, an RTCM panel was created by FWRI with input from appropriate partners and stakeholders. This nine-member panel consists of representatives from various state and local government agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations to provide expert reviews of proposals submitted to this competitive grant program.
The RTCM panel met initially on March 16, 2007, to establish the evaluation process and again on June 28, 2007, to review and discuss submissions received in response to FWC's call for proposals. The panel's funding recommendations resulted in 12 funded projects. There is still a pressing need for Florida to develop a combined approach to document and examine HAB problems and to determine how to minimize, predict, manage, and control HABs. Additionally, a need exists to continue studying and assessing the risks to public health and natural resources from cyanotoxins in drinking water reservoirs and HAB toxins in other aquatic habitats. Finally, developing a consensus in communication, feedback, and educational resources regarding HABs for the media and public at large is also necessary.
1FDEP, FWC, and FDOH.
2FDACS, FWC, FDOH, FDEP, and the five Water Management Districts.
3FDOH, FWC, and FDACS.
4St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), IRLNEP, and FWC/FWRI.
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