title: Forecasting the risk of harmful algal blooms.
abstract: The "Applied Simulations and Integrated Modelling for the Understanding of Harmful Algal Blooms" (Asimuth) project sought to develop a harmful algal bloom (HAB) alert system for Atlantic Europe. This was approached by combining, at a national or regional level, regulatory monitoring phytoplankton and biotoxin data with satellite remote sensing and other information on current marine conditions, coupled with regional scale models that included a representation of HAB transport. Synthesis of these products was achieved by expert interpretation within HAB risk alert bulletins that were prepared on a regular basis (typically weekly) for use by the aquaculture industry. In this preface to the Asimuth Special Issue we outline the main HAB species of concern in the region and the strengths and limitations of different methodologies to provide early warning of their blooms.
authors.affiliation: Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, UK. Electronic address: Keith.Davidson@sams.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole MA 02543 USA.
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: MARETEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mateus
authors.affiliation: Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390 Vigo, Spain.
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reguera
authors.affiliation: Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Silke
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Pélagique, Centre Bretagne, ZI de la Pointe du Diable, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sourisseau
authors.affiliation: Daithi O'Murchu Marine Research Station, Gearhies, Bantry, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maguire
mesh_terms: D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D005544:Forecasting; D057097:Harmful Algal Bloom; D012306:Risk