Biological Oceanography, Eutrophication and the Formation of Harmful Algal Blooms

On the 18^th to 19^th October 2016, BERI facilitated a workshop in conjunction with SFA and the UK National Oceanographic Centre to conduct training in Biological Oceanography, Eutrophication and importantly the Formation of Harmful Algal Blooms. The training was part of the Commonwealth Marine Economy Programme currently underway in Seychelles. BERI has been instrumental in working with the Blue Economy Department and other national Blue Economy stakeholders in the country to develop Blue Economy related programmes for Seychelles.

The training was held on the 18th and 19th Oct at the SFA training room and was sponsored by SFA. A range of government and non-government organizations, including staff from SFA, SNPA, UniSey, SIF, GVI and MCSS, attended the training.

The training covered the following topics:

• Basic biological oceanography and phytoplankton ecology, giving background on issues of eutrophication and formation of algal blooms.
• Phytoplankton diversity, providing background into identification and a talk specifically on Harmful Algal Blooms.
• Analysis of samples collected from Seychelles waters for phytoplankton identification.
• Chlorophyll and fluorescence, including some new state-of-the art fluorescence methods.
• Nutrient sensors/pH sensors and other chemical sensors.
• Looking at the sensor data collected from Seychelles waters.