Can offshore HABs hinder the development of offshore mussel aquaculture in the northeast United States?

Abstract

Shellfish aquaculture is predicted to expand from nearshore locations into US federal waters in response to increased seafood demand and domestic food security concerns. As the industry moves into new areas, risk from offshore harmful algal blooms (HABs) focuses attention on new needs for summary background information about past algal bloom events to guide management decisions and monitoring programs. Indigenous Alexandrium and Pseudo-nitzschia species both have triggered shellfish harvest closures in offshore areas of New England after toxins were measured in bivalve tissues. The information in this short communication summarizes the scope of monitoring and management programs for HABs and their toxins in offshore New England areas where future aquaculture may be located. It also identifies HAB-related challenges to offshore farming development and suggests future research and monitoring directions.