A beach on Saint Martin in the Caribbean (east of Puerto Rico) covered in Sargassum seaweed. (Image credit: NOAA AOML)

Today, NOAA announced $20.1 million in funding for harmful algal bloom (HAB) and hypoxia research projects and monitoring activities throughout U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters.

Marine and fresh waters across the country are increasingly impacted by HABs, with blooms reported in every state. HABs and the toxins they produce can damage ecosystems, local communities and coastal economies. These toxins can kill fish and shellfish; disrupt shellfish harvests, aquaculture operations and commercial fisheries; and threaten human health by causing respiratory and gastrointestinal impacts following ingestion of contaminated seafood or drinking water.

More information about the new awards can be found in the NOAA news release and on the NCCOS and IOOS websites.