What is the Harmful Algal Event Database?

The Harmful Algal Event Database (HAEDAT) is a component of the Harmful Algal Information system (HAIS) within the "International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange" (IODE) of the "Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission" (IOC) of UNESCO, and in cooperation with ICES, and PICES.

 

The HAEDAT is a meta database containing records of harmful algal events. HAEDAT contains records from the ICES area (North Atlantic) since 1985, and from the PICES area (North Pacific) since 2000. IOC Regional networks in South America, South Pacific and Asia, and North Africa are preparing to contribute. Guidance on submission of data and questions re HAEDAT can be found here.

 

HAEDAT Disclaimer: The HAEDAT database contains information based on yearly national reports by ICES and PICES member states. The available information on individual events varies greatly from event to event or country to country. Monitoring intensity, number of monitoring stations, number of samplings, stations, etc. also varies greatly and therefore there is not a direct proportionality between recorded events and actual occurrences of e.g. toxicity in a given region. Furthermore, areas with numerous recorded occurrences of HAE's, but with an efficient monitoring and management programmes, may have very few problems and a low risk of intoxications, whereas rare HAE's in other areas may cause severe problems and represent significant health risks.

IOC/UNESCO ISSHA
IOC/UNESCO ICES PICES