Global Harmful Algal Blooms

Benthic HABs

New tools are necessary to manage and mitigate the impacts of benthic blooms on human health and the environment.

P.T. Lim, University of Malaya

L. Escalera, SZN

HABs and Aquaculture 

The oyster farms are susceptible to algal biotoxin contamination and blooms that have direct lethal effects on the shellfish

Cawthron Institute

Observation, Modelling and Prediction

New capabilities in observation and modelling will improve the detection and prediction of HABs

O. Wade, Hawkes Bay Regional Council

Biodiversity and Biogeography

Combining modern and classic taxonomy tools and long time series will contribute to identify the factors that determine the changing distribution of HAB species and their genetic variability.

C. Whyte, SAMS

Freshwater HABs and Cyanobacterial HABs
Coordination will help to develop a global perspective in advancing the science and management of freshwater HABs, and cyanobacterial HABs in marine, brackish and freshwater habitats

M. Burford, Griffith University

One Health
The most efficient way to protect human and animal health is to prevent exposure to contaminated sea products.

Washington State Department of Health

In the broader picture GlobalHAB contributes to improved management of HABs as an ocean hazard through improved preparedness and early warning systems contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, target 11.5 and Priority 4 and Global target 7 of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) 2015-2030.

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Global Harmful Algal Blooms - GlobalHAB - an international science programme on HABs building on the foundations of GEOHAB


  • Science and Implementation Plan

An international programme sponsored jointly by the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO

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The GlobalHAB Goal:


To improve understanding and prediction of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in aquatic ecosystems, and management and mitigation of their impacts.


The GlobalHAB Mission:

GlobalHAB will:

  • Foster international coordination and cooperative research to address the scientific and societal challenges of HABs, including the environmental, human health and socio-economic impacts, in a rapidly changing world.

  • Consolidate linkages with broader scientific fields and other regional and international initiatives relevant to HABs.

  • Foster the development and adoption of advanced and cost-effective technologies.

  • Promote training, capacity building and communication of HAB research to society.

  • Serve as a liaison between the scientific community, stakeholders and policy makers, informing science-based decision-making.



GlobalHAB is not a funding programme, but – as was GEOHAB – is a mechanism to facilitate actions that require cooperation among nations, such as the comparison and standardization of methodologies, and the co-sponsorship of workshops, meetings and research activities. National, regional and/or international funding agencies (especially those focused on food and water security, human and ecosystem health, ocean observing systems, and climate change) will sponsor activities that respond to diverse HAB-oriented scientific priorities.


GlobalHAB will provide a framework for the integration of research and expertise of many individual scientists in the study of HABs. The active participation and engagement of this international community is fundamental to achieve the overall goal of GlobalHAB: Improve the understanding and prediction of HABs in aquatic ecosystems, and management and mitigation of their impacts.