Virtually every coastal country in the world is affected by harmful algal blooms (HABs).  Few would argue that the number of toxic blooms, the economic losses from them, the types of resources affected, and the number of toxins and toxic species have all increased dramatically in recent years throughout the world.  Impacts include mass mortalities of wild and farmed fish and shellfish, human illness and death from  contaminated shellfish or fish, death of marine mammals, seabirds and other animals, and alterations of marine habitats or trophic structure.

These economic, public health, and ecosystems impacts are strong practical motivations for coordinated and multidisciplinary research programs. Links to major national and international programs are below.