Gold Medal awarded for support of NOAA’s Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasts The Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Forecasting System indicates the location, extent, and possible development or movement of HABs in the Gulf of Mexico. HABs are population explosions of certain species of algae that are harmful to fish or to humans. The forecasting system uses satellite images, field observations, and data from buoys to provide the frequent, extensive observations needed to assess the location and movements of HABs. Conditions are posted to a web page twice a week during the HAB season. The HAB Bulletin offers additional analysis to state and local resource managers. Several NOAA employees received a Gold Medal Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce for collaborative work in using ocean color/ocean biology products from satellite data to support NOAA's Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Forecast System.  Image from March 26, 2007 HAB Bulletin (PDF, 596KB). Satellite chlorophyll image of the Gulf of Mexico with HAB areas shown in red on the coast of Florida. Cell concentration sampling data from March 16-22 shown as red squares (high), red triangles (medium), red diamonds (low b), red circles (low a), orange circles (very low b), yellow circles (very low a), green circles (present), and black "X" (not present). For a list of cell count data providers and a key to the cell concentration categories, please see the HABFS bulletin guide. |
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