Maine Red Tides Discussion

Part of Bigelow Laboratory’s Café Sci series at the Camden Public Library

When: Tuesday, March 28, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Where:
Camden Public Library
55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843

Last fall, an unprecedented bloom of toxic algae known as Pseudo-nitzschia led to shellfishery closures throughout Maine, into Canada, and as far south as Rhode Island. The algae produce a toxin that can build up inside shellfish and cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in people when consumed. Some of the closures lasted more than a month and prompted recalls of oysters, mussels, and clams.

Senior Research Scientist Dr. Cindy Heil and her colleagues at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences worked with the Maine Department of Marine Resources to monitor for the toxin and study the algae. Heil has studied harmful algal blooms and methods for mitigating their impact for more than 20 years. On March 28, she will present, “Maine Red Tides: The Good, the Bad, and the Toxic,” and lead a discussion about harmful algae in the Gulf of Maine and their connections with climate change and human activities.

Bigelow Laboratory’s Café Sci series is a fun, accessible way for people to engage with leading researchers on critical issues and cutting-edge ocean science. Thanks to generous sponsorship support by First Advisors, the Laboratory is pleased to join with Camden Public Library to offer a special, four-part Café Sci series in 2017.

Heil’s talk will take place on March 28 at 7 p.m. and is the second in the Bigelow Laboratory’s Café Sci series at the Camden Public Library. The two remaining one-hour talks are scheduled for April 25 and May 23. These events are free and open to the public. Members of the press are encouraged to attend.

Visit bigelow.org/cafesci for more information about this special Café Sci series.

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Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit research institution on the coast of Maine. Our research ranges from the biology and ecology of marine microorganisms to large-scale ocean processes that affect the global environment. Recognized as a leader in Maine’s emerging innovation economy, the Laboratory’s research, education, and technology transfer programs are spurring significant economic growth in the state. Learn more at www.bigelow.org, and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.