Experts pitch in to help ministry study algae patch
Will test toxicity and threat of blooms
By Emmanuelle Landais, Senior Reporter
Published: December 30, 2010
Dubai: Researchers, in public health issues relating to harmful algal blooms, are in the UAE to assist the Ministry of Environment and Water test the toxicity of an algae patch which emerged off the East Coast in early December.
Shellfish from various marine ecosystems have also been put under the microscope in preliminary studies as crabs and other crustaceans are most prone to absorb toxins from red tide blooms.
Water and shellfish samples were taken from twelve locations including mangroves, reefs and shallow waters between December 12 and 17 to monitor their levels of toxicity and limit their distribution, in due course, to local fish markets.
The area of dense phytoplankton has not been declared as a harmful algal blooms.
However, the surveys are part of the UAE's national action plan to track and monitor such blooms, and maintain food security in the country, a statement from the Ministry of Environment said.
The ministry added that all means to control the phytoplankton are being used. The worst harmful algal bloom occurred in 2008 and lasted several months putting the fishing community under great financial duress after they were banned from fishing.
The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) is also monitoring the patch by satellite.
Preparation
Dr Donald Anderson, a senior scientist in the Biology Department of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the US is leading the research in the UAE and is providing the ministry with technical advice on the preparation and implementation of programmes of the National Plan.
The possible development of the algal bloom is being assessed with a digital modelling programme and the use of remote sensing technology.
A criterion to protect fish farms is also being put in place. Ebrahim Al Jamali, director of the Ministry of Environment and Water's Marine Research Center announced last week that the ministry is conducting growth trials of 24 species of corals from the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman in the hope of one day rehabilitating existing reefs, and creating new ones.
Shellfish from various marine ecosystems have also been put under the microscope in preliminary studies as crabs and other crustaceans are most prone to absorb toxins from red tide blooms.
Water and shellfish samples were taken from twelve locations including mangroves, reefs and shallow waters between December 12 and 17 to monitor their levels of toxicity and limit their distribution, in due course, to local fish markets.
The area of dense phytoplankton has not been declared as a harmful algal blooms.
However, the surveys are part of the UAE's national action plan to track and monitor such blooms, and maintain food security in the country, a statement from the Ministry of Environment said.
The ministry added that all means to control the phytoplankton are being used. The worst harmful algal bloom occurred in 2008 and lasted several months putting the fishing community under great financial duress after they were banned from fishing.
The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) is also monitoring the patch by satellite.
Preparation
Dr Donald Anderson, a senior scientist in the Biology Department of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the US is leading the research in the UAE and is providing the ministry with technical advice on the preparation and implementation of programmes of the National Plan.
The possible development of the algal bloom is being assessed with a digital modelling programme and the use of remote sensing technology.
A criterion to protect fish farms is also being put in place. Ebrahim Al Jamali, director of the Ministry of Environment and Water's Marine Research Center announced last week that the ministry is conducting growth trials of 24 species of corals from the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman in the hope of one day rehabilitating existing reefs, and creating new ones.
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