Problem Statement: Almost 100 marine micro-algae are now known or suspected to produce toxins. Coastal states across the world experience harmful algal blooms (HAB). The frequency, intensity and geographic distribution of HABs have increased over the last few decades. Microalgae may cause intoxication in humans consuming shellfish which have accumulated algal toxins, fish mortality in wild and aquaculture stocks, loss of market confidence in seafood, negative impacts on tourism, etc. Taxonomic identification of harmful algal species is complicated by the high degree of variation expressed among and within populations. Many institutions have, over the last 20 years, lost their taxonomic expertise in micro-algae, just as it has been the case for many other groups of organisms.

Methods: Identification of micro-algae is typically based on the light microscope and morphological characteristics. Nevertheless, this is inadequate to distinguish between many species, and electron microscopy, molecular probes and other highly specialised methods are routinely required.

Outcomes and Impacts: In most countries facing problems with harmful micro-algae, the importance of taxonomic skills for identification of causative species is recognised. Countries trading within or with the European Union, Asian Pacific Economic Co-operation, or USA have to comply to certain regulations regarding HAB and algal toxin monitoring in order to be able to market seafood products. Most countries that have established HAB monitoring programmes have greatly minimized the negative health and economic impacts and have thereby made e.g. aquaculture operations sustainable. This applied use of taxonomy has in turn helped secure funding for basic research in phylogeny, ecology, etc. of micro-algae. It has so far not been feasible to make a reliable estimate of the actual scale of losses as many countries do not release such figures in order to protect their markets and due to the fact that such an estimation would be very complex as so many facets of society are affected.

Lessons: This case demonstrates how taxonomic capacity can be enhanced when pursued in a socio-economic context. The monitoring of harmful micro-algae requires sound taxonomic skills and research to describe new species and deliver identification keys, and development of new tools to help with species identification. The problems faced by agencies responsible for protecting seafood resources, the marine environment, and human health has lead to an international focus on enhancing national capacity to identify and monitor potentially harmful micro-algae. It is a good example of building demand-driven taxonomic capacity. It is also an example of how governments can address the taxonomic impediment by requesting assistance from international organizations with the ability to organize capacity enhancing activities and raise the required funding In this specific case the organizations that have taken an interest in taxonomy because of its socio-economic relevance are primarily the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and a number of bilateral development aid agencies.