Fig. 2. Chl-a distribution in coastal waters of Khanh Hoa province during 14th October to 25th November 2016 (sources: MODIS-Aqua Level 2 images, NASA). Clear skies were observed on 14th October, and 11th, 13th, 15th, 22nd, 25th November, while the other days were very cloudy. High chl-a concentrations were seen on 11th and 13th November in the northern part of Van Phong Bay and on 22nd November, chl-a patches. The dominant species in all plankton samples was T. furca with Peridinium quinquecorne (up to 1.3 106 cellsL-1 on 26th November) also blooming in a small area in the southwestern part of the bay. During the bloom of T. furca, the species diversity was low (2-38 species recorded in the samples). During the period from 28th November to the 1st December, cell densities reached 3.9106 cellsL-1 (Fig. 4). At the same time, cell density of T. furca outside Van Phong Bay, near Dai Lanh Beach, was only 280 cellsL-1. Fish mortality was first observed in early November when ca. 35 t of caged fish were killed. This incident affected 260 households in Dam Mon and was attributed to the extremely heavy rainfall which may have reduced the salinity of the surface water within a very short period of time [1]. 2 Harmful effects During the second and third week of November the fishermen observed increasing discolouration of the water and occasional death of young and nonhealthy lobsters and 3-5 kg size cobia fish (Rachycentron canadum) (Fig. 3b). On November 24th, mortality of marine animals mounted to an estimated 15 t and included wild fish as well as farmed fish (about 7 t of cobia, 1000 young lobsters and 500 kg of cultured snails [2] (Fig. 3a). A few days later, on 29 November in Dam Mon, an estimated 200 t of caged cobia died and the economic loss amounted to about ca. 1 million US dollars. The dinoflagellate T. furca is not known to be a toxin producing species but it may form high-biomass blooms causing damage through secondary effects such as oxygen depletion. In North Viet Nam it formed a high-biomass bloom in Ha Long Bay in July 2011 killing 10 t of caged groupers and snappers [3]. There are several previous reports of blooms of T. furca associated with mortality of fish or other marine fauna including Hong Kong [4], Japan [5], South Africa [6], and Mexico [7]. Low oxygen concentrations may be part of the reason for the observed mortality but clogging and physical damage to fish gills leading severe mucus production almost certainly also plays a role [7]. Data on oxygen levels from the bloom area in Van Phong Bay are not available. However, there was strong indications of gill damage in dead 3-10 kg fish collected on 28th November. Dissection of fish at the Institute of Oceanography in Nha Trang showed congestion of gill arches and gill filaments and large amounts of mucus. There is no regular government-based HAB monitoring in Van Phong Bay. During the development of the bloom information and warnings were sent directly to the fish farmers from the scientists at ION through personal contacts. According to the fish farmers, the information provided helped mitigate the harmful effects as planned new stocks for the aquacultures were postponed, feeding was reduced, and fish and lobster pens were moved to safer areas. Blooms of Noctiluca scintillans [8], and T. trichoceros [9], have been reported previously in the bay. Considering the recent expansion of aquaculture activities and the planned industrial and tourist development, there is an urgent need for regular HAB monitoring in Van Phong Bay. Acknowlegements Thanks to Dr. Jacob Larsen for reviewing the written English. A high resolution colour composite sentinel satellite image was provided by Mr. Tong Phuoc Hoang Son. This work is funded by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Khanh Hoa Province. References 1. KhanhHoa online, November 7th, 2016: http://www.baokhanhhoa.com.vn/kinhte/201611/dam-mon-ca-bop-chet-hangloat-2459014/ 2. KhanhHoa online, November 25th, 2016: http://www.baokhanhhoa.com.vn/ phong-su-anh/201611/ca-chet-trang-oHARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 57 / 2017 Harmful Algae News An IOC Newsletter on Toxic Algae and Algal Blooms No. 57 - June 2017 www.ioc-unesco.org/hab Unusual fish killing blooms of Tripos furca in Van Phong Bay, South Viet Nam In the beginning of November 2016, a phytoplankton bloom was observed by fisherman in Van Phong Bay, Viet Nam Fig. 2. Chl-a distribution in coastal waters of Khanh Hoa province during 14th October to 25th November 2016 (sources: MODIS-Aqua Level 2 images, NASA). Clear skies were observed on 14th October, and 11th, 13th, 15th, 22nd, 25th November, while the other days were very cloudy. High chl-a concentrati vung-sim-2461816/ 3. Nguyen VN et al 2014. In: Kim HG et al (eds) Harmful Algae 2012. Proc15th ICHA (ISSHA) pp 48-51 4. Hodgkiss IJ & Lu S 2004. In: Asian Pacific Phycology in the 21st Century: Prospects and Challenges, pp 215-229 5. Machida M et al 1999. Nippon Suisan Gakk 65: 755756 6. Mat Mortality of Chilean farmed salmon in wellboats in transit through a Karenia bloom Fig. 1. Geographic distribution of the stations sampled near the Gulf of Penas, Chile, between 31st January and 1st February 2017. A mass mortality of around 170,000 salmon, worth US$ 390,000, was recorded on wellbo Fig. 3. Density (cells L-1) of Karenia spp. in water samples of the vicinity of the Gulf of Penas. nels, composed mainly of diatoms. Most Karenia (ex Gymnodinum) species produce toxins that can kill fish and other marine organisms when they bloom. In addition to toxicity, some Karenia blooms cause A bloom of Amphidinium carterae in Ria de Aveiro, Portugal Fig. 1. Ria de Aveiro and oyster farm location. Amphydinium carterae is a benthic unarmored cosmopolitan dinoflagellate classed as a fish killer due to its capacity to produce hemolytic compounds such as amphidinols [1] and polyhydroxyl car Harmful dinoflagellates in the Gulf of Guinea, Nigeria, West Africa Fig. 1. Coastal map of Nigeria showing the study area. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are worldwide phenomena [1]. The increasing spread, frequency and severity of harmful algal incidents have been well documented and have led to the ble are toxic harmful dinoflagellates that produce a suite of toxins, including Alexandrium catenella and Gymnodinium catenatum (saxitoxins), Dinophysis caudata (okadaic acid congeners), and benthic HAB (Ostreopsis cf ovata, palytoxins, and Prorocentrum lima, okadaic acid). These toxins can directly Satellite detection of Trichodesmium blooms in the Southwestern Pacific and the Tonga trench [2]. This area coincides with high nitrogen fixation rates [3]. There are numerous correlations between the observations of surface mats in the ocean and high reflectance In the oceans, a large portion of t Fig. 2a) MODIS image of the Trichodesmium bloom with white and green mats between Vanuatu Islands and New Caledonia in December 2014; with Landsat 8 zooms on mats superimposed and the microscopic observation of Trichodesmium colonies in surface samples at the SPOT station visited with R/V Alis; b) P Plankton Planet in New Zealand Plankton Planet is the first citizen science programme designed for biological oceanography. It is a co-operation between scientists and volunteers from the sailing community based on mass sequencing of DNA barcodes from the extracts of plankton communities collected w Molluscan Shellfish Safety Conference in Ireland Over 230 international delegates from 27 countries participated in the 11th International Conference on Molluscan Shellfish Safety (ICMSS) from Sunday 14 to Thursday 18 May 2017 at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Convened by Irelands Marin 13th Session of the Intergovernmemntal Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB) This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB) established under the auspices of IOC of UNESCO. Over that period IPHAB has provided the international framework for region Forthcoming events will be held at the 10 Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (10 IPFC ), 2-6 October 2017, Tahiti, French Polynesia (https:// ipfc10.criobe.pf/). Organizers: Mireille Chinain, Susanna Piovano, Jean Turquet, Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui-Bottein (mchinain@ilm.pf; susanna.piovano@usp.ac.fj; Turque Scientific Committee Topics: Advances in the analysis of existing and emerging marine and freshwater toxins. Ann Abraham, FDA, US Mass spectrometry, molecular methods, toxicity assays, bioassays and screening tests. Arjen Gerssen, WUR, NL Structural characterization of new potential toxins. Ja the 18th international conference on harmful algae from ecosystems to socio-ecosystems SAVE the date! FATMA GUELLATI/UPMC-UNIV BADJI MOKHTAR Minyvel Environnement/Phenomer Nicolas Chomérat/IFREmer Véronique Séchet/IFREmer Olivier BARBAROUX/IFREmer Stéphane LESBATS/IFREmer Olivier DUG Ted Smayda in Memoriam 10 April 2017 This year the HAB and research community lost another giant intellect. Professor Theodore J. Smayda, (Ted as he preferred to be called) passed away after a period of illness. A graduate of the Braarud School of phytoplankton ecology of Oslo, Norway, Ted held uniq IV INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM, June 4-8, Washington DC Organized by ICES, PICES, IOC and NOAA Fisheries The 4th International Symposium will bring together experts from around the world to better understand climate impacts on ocean ecosystems and how to respond. The Symposium will Highlight the latest