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Harmful Algae Bloom�Monitoring in Drayton Harbor�a volunteer citizen science program

Rick Beauregard

  • Drayton Harbor HAB Hunters
  • Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee
  • Rick.Beauregard@outlook.com

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Drayton Harbor HAB Hunters

  • Started in 2019
    • Drayton Harbor Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee
    • Garden of the Salish Sea
    • Drayton Harbor Oyster Company
    • SoundToxins
  • Citizen science program
  • Dual purpose
    • Sentinel monitoring for harmful algae blooms
    • Education in marine science
  • Self-funded through donations

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SoundToxins

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What are we doing?

  • Sampling for HABs and other phytoplankton
    • Weekly March-October
    • Bi-Weekly November-February
  • Microscopic analysis
    • Plankton Net Tow relative abundance and semi-quantitative
    • Whole water samples
    • Concentrated 10X samples, preserved
  • Collect temp, salinity, meteorological data
  • Data analysis and reporting to www.SoundToxins.org

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Dinophysis spp.

Alexandrium spp.

Pseudo-nitzschia spp.

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Why are we doing it?

  • Early warning of potentially harmful algae blooms
  • Information to help predict when blooms might occur
  • Maximize limited resources for tissue sample analysis for toxin concentration
  • Protect recreational, tribal, and commercial shellfish harvesting and economic impacts
  • Protect public health

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Where are we doing it?

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Where are we doing it?

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What are we finding?

  • HAB species are present throughout the year
  • High numbers of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. this spring
    • Causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)
  • Alexandrium spp. more common this spring
    • Causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
  • WADOH closure in June due to PSP toxin levels

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What are we finding?

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What are we finding?

  • HAB species are present throughout the year
  • High numbers of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. this spring
    • Causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning
  • Alexandrium spp. more common this spring
    • Causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning
  • WADOH closure in June due to PSP toxin levels
  • Higher levels of HABs in spring 2022 than in 2021
  • Total biomass blooms appeared later and were somewhat lower concentrations in 2022 versus 2021

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2022

2021

700,000 Cells/L

900,000 Cells/L

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Some probable causes?

  • Increased rain, runoff and nutrient loading
  • Decrease solar radiation this spring
  • Increased mixing from winds
    • Churns spores from bottom sediments
    • Increase nutrients from bottom sediments
  • As summer approaches we may see more bloom conditions
    • Nutrients
    • Increased solar radiation
    • More stratification, warm water

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What’s Next for c

  • Continue HAB monitoring and reporting
  • SoundToxins – Nutrients, chlorophyll
  • Crab Megalopae of Northern Puget Sound
  • Fecal Coliform Marine Sampling with DHSPAD
  • Sentinel Mussel Monitoring - Pacific Shellfish Restoration Fund/WA DOH
  • Opportunities for student interns

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Rick Beauregard

Rick.Beauregard@outlook.com

Harmful Algae Bloom�Monitoring in Drayton Harbor�a volunteer citizen science program

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