The SoundToxins monitoring network, managed by Washington Sea Grant, monitors over three dozen sites for Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) throughout the Salish Sea. This MRC projects adds two additional sites in Whatcom County that were not previously monitored by SoundToxins: Semiahmoo Marina and Birch Bay Marina. These sites are monitored for phytoplankton weekly from March-November and biweekly from November-February. Samples are analyzed microscopically for phytoplankton concentrations, focusing on several potential HAB species. This HAB data provides information to management agencies and scientists to effectively manage shellfish closures for public safety.
