Annual SoundToxins Gathering 2019

Earlier this week, I attended the annual SoundToxins gathering in Seattle. This event, held across two days at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Montlake, brought together people from NOAA, Washington Sea Grant, the Washington State Department of Health, and citizen science volunteers (including a handful from the Port Townsend Marine Science Center) who work collaboratively on the SoundToxins program.

For context, the SoundToxins program serves as an early warning system for harmful algal blooms. Citizen science volunteers collect water samples from sites all across Puget Sound, and look for the presence of four particular species of phytoplankton (Alexandrium, Dinophysis, Pseudo-nitzschia, and Heterosignma). These phytoplankton produce toxins which can make their way into shellfish, and eventually into humans when we consume them. If we can spot any of these phytoplankton ahead of time, then the public can be notified it is not safe to eat affected shellfish.

The first day of the gathering served as an information session for both new and returning volunteers. We went over the four harmful algal species that we monitor for, the toxins they produce, and the effects they have on people. Then, we were given the chance to sharpen our identification skills for the large number of other species of phytoplankton that we find in Puget Sound.

The SoundToxins annual meeting attendees
(Photo credit:Teri King)

We even got to look under a microscope at a recently-collected water sample and see living examples of these other phytoplankton species! This was particularly helpful for me, as I haven’t been able to see what many of these phytoplankton actually look like under a microscope.

The second day of the gathering focused more on important news, updates and interesting developments in the realm of harmful algal blooms. To begin, the Washington Department of Health gave a presentation about how they monitor for the toxins themselves in the tissues of shellfish across the state, and talked about their concerns about high levels of Alexandrium, the algal species known for producing a toxin that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.

Next, we learned about three other phytoplankton species (Akashiwo sanguinea, Protoceratium reticulatum, and Phaeocystis) that have been connected to shellfish mortalities. All SoundToxins volunteers were asked to keep an eye out for these species to hopefully prevent the loss of additional shellfish stocks.

Vera Trainer, a supervisory oceanographer at NOAA, gives a talk at the annual meeting
(Photo credit: Teri King) 

We also got to hear about the development of a remotely-operated aquatic glider that is able to collect water samples for monitoring.

All in all, I had a great time at the gathering. For me, getting to hear all the different stories and perspectives from the individuals involved with SoundToxins reinforced how truly important this program is.

Written by Michael Siddel, Citizen Science Educator AmeriCorps Member.