A Scientific Briefing for the California Legislature

 
By Heidi Waite
 

Sponsored by Senator Tony Strickland and Assemblymember Diane Dixon, this expert briefing featured a discussion on the impacts of harmful algal blooms on water quality, marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human health and well-being. The experts explored how HABs have impacted California’s ocean resources and wildlife, current monitoring efforts, and emerging findings from recent bloom events.

Featured expert panelists included:

Dr. Clarissa Anderson, Director, Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Dr. Raphe Kudela, Professor, University of California Santa Cruz
Dr. Holly Bowers, Research Faculty, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories,San José State University
Dr. Ally Pasulka, Associate Professor, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Moderator:

Dr. Clarissa Anderson, Director, SCCOOS

Missed the webinar? Watch it here

2-page accompanying handout with background information


Sponsored by

State Senator Tony Strickland
Seal of the California State Senate
Assemblymember Diane Dixon
Seal of the California State Assembly

About this Briefing

In recent years, HABs – a rapid overgrowth of toxin-producing microscopic algae – have been making headlines due to their increasing frequency and intensity. This year marks the fourth consecutive year of significant HAB-related marine mammal mortality in Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara1. Given the widespread effects of HABs, there is an urgent need to understand the potential consequences of their presence to water quality, marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human health and well being. This briefing was an opportunity to learn from scientific experts about our current understanding of how HABs have impacted California’s ocean resources and wildlife, current monitoring efforts, and emerging findings from recent bloom events.


1NOAA. March 2025. Feature Story: Early Bloom of Toxic Algae off Southern California Sickens Hundreds of Sea Lions and Dolphins. Last updated April 22, 2025.

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