P hytoplankton Monitoring Network Program Introduction Promoting a better understanding of Harmful Algal Blooms by way of volunteer monitoring. NOAA Marine Biotoxins Program Dr. Steve Morton, Principal Investigator

located at the Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research lab in Charleston, SC Part of NOAA’s Marine Biotoxins Program Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) Marine Biotoxins Program: targets research and services at issues related to algal toxins and the organisms responsible for their production Credit: NOAA Marine Biotoxins ProgramPMN MissionPMN ProgressVolunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer EquipmentMonitoring ImportanceHow to Join

Credit: Gary Freitag and Barbara Morgan “Informing the public about harmful algal blooms (HABs) and local phytoplankton communities through research-based monitoring.” PMN Mission ~ Phytoplankton Monitoring Network Marine Biotoxins ProgramPMN MissionPMN ProgressVolunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer EquipmentMonitoring ImportanceHow to Join

PMN Expansion Timeline North Carolina Virginia, Alaska, Mississippi, Maryland, Rhode Island Georgia 2003 Southeast Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (SEPMN) + Washington, New York, Connecticut South Carolina Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (SCPMN) + South Carolina + Florida, US Virgin Islands, Hawaii + Massachusetts, Texas, Alabama Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) Minnesota, Wisconsin, St. Johns River Basin Marine Biotoxins ProgramPMN MissionPMN ProgressVolunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer EquipmentMonitoring ImportanceHow to Join

Submit data to PMN via secure on-line entry tool Volunteer Responsibilities Marine Biotoxins ProgramPMN MissionPMN ProgressVolunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer EquipmentMonitoring ImportanceHow to Join Attend a PMN Training Choose a convenient sampling site Sample weekly or biweekly Perform preliminary phytoplankton identification Preserve species or unknowns in high abundance Ship samples to PMN offices

Volunteer Equipment Salt Refractometer Plankton net Thermometer 5 gridded slides Cover slips 8oz Sea Gear bottles (2) 1L sample bottles 4oz sample bottles Lugol’s solution for preservation *Region specific volunteer manual *The PMN Manual has data sheets, phytoplankton ID sheets, and HAB information specific to your local coastal waters. Photo credit: Elizabeth Zerai Volunteers are loaned all sampling equipment except light microscopes for monitoring! Marine Biotoxins ProgramPMN MissionPMN ProgressVolunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer EquipmentMonitoring ImportanceHow to Join

Importance of Phytoplankton Monitoring Monitoring Developing a long-term data collection Harmful Algal Bloom monitoring and awareness Linking scientists and volunteers to monitor harmful algae Research Culturing of potentially toxic species Identification of new and unique phytoplankton species Education Education through hands-on field and lab science Exposure to important federally-funded research America’s eyes on the coast Marine Biotoxins ProgramPMN MissionPMN ProgressVolunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer EquipmentMonitoring ImportanceHow to Join

Contact your regional coordinator with questions! How do I join NOAA PMN? Atlantic Region Matt Brim Gulf Of Mexico, Pacific, and Great Lakes Regions Jeff Paternoster Signup at the NOAA PMN Website! Marine Biotoxins ProgramPMN MissionPMN ProgressVolunteer ResponsibilitiesVolunteer EquipmentMonitoring ImportanceHow to Join