Predicting Harmful Algal Blooms
HABForecastr
A submersible microscope that predicts harmful algal blooms (HABs) 7 days ahead — giving you time to act, not react. It’s like your weather app, but for HABs.
- More Time to Respond
- Saves Money
- Positive Environmental Impact
HAB Problem
Harmful algal blooms are colonies of algae — plants that live in the sea and freshwater — that grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. In turn, affecting the “health” of our economy.
“Harmful algal blooms cost the U.S. economy millions of dollars each year” (NOAA Fisheries)
Typically, a single HAB event has the following impacts:
Compromised beach safety, potentially resulting in $50 million in lost wages and $40 million in lost tourism revenue due to decreased recreational activity.
Contaminated fish would cause up to $5.58 million in lost fishing expenditures.
Healthcare costs would rise to $4.4 million in emergency visits.
Real estate would devaluate by $10 million for shoreline properties.
Clean-up Costs
“The average annual economic impact of HABs in the U.S. is estimated at $10-100 million and costs from a single major HAB event can reach tens of millions of dollars.” (NCCOOS, NOAA) While a device that prevents one will cost thousands.
(NOAA)
2017 Red Tide
In Florida, the Karenia Brevis algae bloom resulted in a loss of $6.5 million in sales for restaurants, motels, and $4 million in hospital visits. Lost tourism ~
(NOAA)
2014 Great Lakes
In Ohio, over 400,000 residents had a 2-day water ban on drinking or cooking due to a Cyanobacteria bloom. Most residents had gastrointestinal illness. Total impact ~
(NOAA)
2015 US West Coast
In Washington & Oregon, due to a Pseudo-nitzschia algae bloom there was a 1-month delay in commercial Dungeness crab fishery which cost ~
HAB Solution
Current technology detect HABs when it’s too late – shellfish are contaminated and beaches shut down. With Habforecastr and natural treatment techniques, you can minimize a lot of damage and save millions of dollars in damage control.
- More Time to Respond
- Saves Money
- Positive Environmental Impact
Figure 1: Limiting algae growth
Who Are We?
A talented team with expertise in machine learning, computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, business
development, product marketing, and sales.
We are deeply grateful for the Phase I and Phase II funding provided by the SBIR program and NOAA to help us build HabForecastr.
Curious About What We’re Building?
Drop your email! We’ll send you the good stuff — no spam, just occasional updates.
Customer Demand
Current implementations are challenging to learn, to use, and expensive to acquire & operate. An instrument at about 1/6 th the cost that automatically identifies & counts HAB Species would benefit the community.
