Harmful algal bloom toxins along the West Coast of India for preparedness in the event of a bloom

The objectives of the project are:
o Mapping of algal blooms using participatory methodology with coastal stakeholders
o Collection of samples at regular intervals from the identified sites using standard techniques
o Identification of the blooms and the processing of the samples for the chemical characterization of toxins using modern analytical tools
o Identification and structural elucidation of marine toxins isolated from the samples
o Assess extent of impact on the health of coastal population through participatory exercises
o Understand the socio-economic impacts of HABs through interaction with fisher folk, organised fishing industry, relevant government departments etc
o Provide for rapid response to the presence of toxins in the marine organisms by the standardized analytical techniques
o Dissemination of the information to coastal population in order to prepare them for the hazardous blooms
o Formation of a coastal network with institutes having capacity to monitor algal blooms