Nutrients and Red Tide in Florida: State of the Science Symposium

Florida Sea Grant (FSG) and The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are pleased to convene a Nutrients and Red Tide in Florida: State of the Science Symposium. With funding by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Harmful Algal Bloom Grant Program and at the request of the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Task Force, this 2.5 day symposium will occur April 21-23, 2025, at the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg campus. Day one of the Symposium will begin at 1:00 pm to allow participants to travel after the Easter Holiday.

Symposium Topics

• Nutrient Dynamics across Bloom Stages
• Tracking Nutrients through Systems
• Management and Response 

The purpose of this invitation-only symposium is to assess the current state of knowledge, to share updates on new findings and ongoing efforts, and to guide future management and research priorities addressing nutrients and red tide. 

Objectives:

• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and dialogue

• Synthesize the current state of knowledge and efforts and identify gaps regarding the role and contribution of nutrients in red tide events

• Identify and prioritize short- and long-term research needs and strategies 

• Identify connections to local, regional, and state management policy interventions

A symposium white paper will be developed with the information generated during the 2.5-day symposium. The white paper will be used to inform Florida’s Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force and guide the state’s Harmful Algal Bloom Grant Program. The symposium will also be a great opportunity for networking within the Karenia brevis red tide professional community.