Regional Training Course on Identifica tion of Harmful Algal Bloom Species in the ASEAN Region, Singapore, 18 th -22 nd July 2016 Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can cause major environmental disturbances, severe economic loss to industries, fisheries and tourism, and also pose significant health risks to humans. Con- sidering the increase in HABs occur- rence and the lack of taxonomy experts in Asia-Pacific region, a regional train- ing course on identification of harmful algal bloom species in the ASEAN re- gion was held at St. Johns Island Marine Laboratory, Tropical Marine Science In- stitute, National University of Singapore (SJIML, TMSI NUS) from 18 th -22 nd July 2016. This training course was organized by TMSI NUS, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), sponsored by Japan Trust Fund, and in kind contributions by UNESCO Intergovernmental Ocean- ographic Commission Western Pacif- ic-HAB (IOC WESTPAC-HAB), Japan Funds-in-Trust (JFiT), WESTPAC and Asian Natural Environmental Science Center (ANESC). Dr Yasuwo Fukuyo (University of Tokyo), Dr Lim Po Teen (University of Malaya), Dr Mitsunori Iwataki (ANESC, University of Tokyo), Dr Sandric Leong (National University of Singapore), Dr Kazumi Wakita (To- kai University) and Dr Lim Hong Chang (Tunku Abdul Rahman University Col- lege) were invited as trainers and to de- liver lectures. This training course was attended by twenty participants from ten coun- tries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) from Fisheries Agencies (Fig. 1). The main objective of this training course was to improve identification knowledge of harmful micro-algae through lectures and laboratory practicals. The course focused on the identification of harmful and red tide causative species includ- ing diatoms, dinoflagellates and raphi- dophytes that are commonly found in the ASEAN region. Moreover, another objective of the course was to encour- age participants to establish an interna- tional network for communication and exchange of information in the case of HAB events. The programme consisted of a se- ries of lectures coupled with hands-on training sessions, field trips, demon- strations on sampling techniques, the use of Sedgewick-Rafter counting chambers, and observations of microal- gae using light microscopy and field mi- croscopy (Fig. 2). Accurate species iden- tification is very crucial for the relevant authorities to prevent and mitigate HABs impacts. A short introduction to freshwater bloom-forming phytoplank- ton species, in particular cyanobacte- ria, for countries which have no ma- rine HABs problems was provided. The training sessions also included discus- sions on current status, challenges and management of HABs in each country. Fig. 1. Group photo of regional training course in Singapore, July 18-22, 2016. 12 HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 54 / 2016 Harmful Algae News An IOC Newsletter on Toxic Algae and Algal Blooms No. 54 - August 2016 www.ioc-unesco.org/hab Exceptional climate anomalies and north wards expansion of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning outbreaks in Southern Chile Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), in partic- ular recurrent events of the P 6. Díaz PA et al. 2014. Harmful Algae 40: 9-22 7. Molinet C et al 2003. Rev Chil Hist Nat 76: 681-698 Authors Cristina Hernández, Laboratorio Salud Pública, Seremi de Salud Región de Los Lagos, Crucero 1915, Puerto Montt, Chile Fig. 2. Evolution of the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) from 1950 to 2016. e Cochlodinium polykrikoides blooms in southern Cuba during anomalous hot dry seasons (average depth, 1.2 m) estu- ary fed by the Arimao River. This wetland is on the south- west of the semi-enclosed Bay of Cienfuegos (southern Cuba) and connected to it by a single channel. The area is subject to two periods (April/May 2005 and January 2015) 8-9. During the 2015, a bloom of C. polykrikoides was also recorded in channels of a small marina from Hava- na, north-western Cuba, in September, without apparent damage to marine life 10. Acknowledgements Fig. 2. C. polykrikoides (A) and dead blue crabs (C Is Ciguatera moving south in Australia? Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) is well- known in tropical regions around the world, including the Pacific. The illness occurs through the consumption of fish that have accumulated naturally occur- ring ciguatoxins (CTXs) produced by the dinoflagellate genus Ga ic CTX) 8. The illnesses occurred be- tween February and April each year in NSW (Fig 1), coinciding with the peak Spanish mackerel fishing season. There is an apparent southern expansion of the geographic range of CFP along the east coast of Australia (Fig. 1). The catch locations of the fish from t A survey of BHAB assemblages utilizing the artificial substrate method in Rawa Island, Malaysia Benthic dinoflagellates are marine tychoplanktonic inhabitants on the natural substrates of coral reefs in tropical and subtropical coastal wa- ters. These dinoflagellates are associ- ated with their pref Annual variability of Prorocentrum lima and abiotic factors in Chengue Bay, T ayrona National Park, Colombian Caribbean Fig. 1. Study area where samples of Thalassia testudinum were collected. Chengue Bay (black star), Tayrona National Park, Colombian Caribbean Prorocentrum lima is a cosmopolitan s del Mar -CECIMAR (sede Caribe) y Pro- grama de Postgrados en Biología - Línea Biología Marina ( contribution 430 ). Thanks also to the Banco Español de Algas de Gran Canaria, in particular to Mr. E. Soler Onis, and to the Jardin Bo- tánico Canario Viera y Clavijo for sup- port with the SEM, and to t Training Workshop on the Culturing and Identification of Benthic Harmful Marine Dinoflagellates A Training Workshop on the Culturing and Identification of Benthic Harmful Marine Dinoflagellates was held in the State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollu- tion (SKLMP), City University of Hong Kong between 1 Fig. 1. Participants in the workshop at the State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, 14-21 June, 2016. Fig. 2. Demonstrating basic techniques in BHAB culturing (Po Teen Lim, Chung-Kuang Lu, Chui Pin Leaw and the participants). HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 54 / 2016 11 Regional Training Course on Identifica tion of Harmful Algal Bloom Species in the ASEAN Region, Singapore, 18 th -22 nd July 2016 Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can cause major environmental disturbances, severe economic loss to industries, fisheries and tourism, and also pose significant health risks Participants were encouraged to orga- nize local or regional training courses to train more experts on harmful algae identification. The IOC WESTPAC-HAB working group shall assist local groups in training their local community by sending suitable trainers to the training workshop and by providing te ASIMUTH special issue of Harmful Algae The European Commission (EC) 7th Framework Programme (FP7) project Applied Simulations and Integrated Modelling for the Understanding of Toxic and Harmful Algal Blooms (ASI- MUTH) ran from 2010-2013. It involved 11 partners from Portu- gal, Spain, France, Irela Last News on the 17 th ICHA The local and international organizing committees are busily planning the 17 th International Conference on Harmful Algae (17 th ICHA), in Florianopolis, Bra- zil from 9 th -14 th October 2016. For the first time in history, Latin America will host the conference and is l Forthcoming events Seafood Safety: New Findings & Innovation Challenges Brussels, 25-26 January 2017 Deadline for registration: 15 January 2017 (early bird 25 November 2016). Abstract submission deadline: 15 October 2016. www.ecsafeseafoodconference.com 11th International Conference on Modern and Fo