Pseudo-nitzschia - C-HARM tells us where conditions are suitable for species of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia spp. (all size classes) to grow well and where they might be more likely to produce the deadly neurotoxin, domoic acid (DA). C-HARM now routinely predicts suitable habitat for Pseudo-nitzschia spp. throughout the state, suggesting most places are routinely experiencing conditions conducive to growth and blooms throughout the year, with variability from month to month on where the centers of highest likelihood occur. In June, very high bloom probabilities were predicted far offshore for the northern and central coasts of California to the Santa Barbara Channel, while more confined to the nearshore zones of the Southern California Bight where bloom probabilities southeast of the Santa Barbara Channel region were generally low throughout the month. Given ongoing COVID-19 sampling restrictions and delays that continue to hamper our ability to acquire timely HABMAP observations from piers, not all piers are currently providing data. We do know that despite the high probabilities from C-HARM, the only sites with data that were reporting Pseudo-nitzschia in June were Santa Monica Pier, Stearns Wharf, and Cal Poly Pier, the latter capturing near bloom levels of the more toxigenic 'seriata' size class of Pseudo-nitzschia. The less toxigenic P. "delicatissima" well exceeded the bloom threshold at the end of June at Santa Monica Pier. The Relative Abundance Index (RAI) for the Pseudo-nitzschia "seriata" size class recorded by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reached moderate or "Common" levels (15-30%) at Diablo Cove (San Luis Obispo region, near Cal Poly Pier), at Mohawk Reef (Santa Barbara Channel), and in the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (northwest of the San Francisco area). 

Moderate to very high C-HARM probabilities (50-100%) for particulate domoic acid (pDA) were predicted at different times for several sections of the California coastline in June, but this could easily be called a "central California" event relative to previous months. Zones of high pDA likelihood, or "hotspots," intensified at different times in offshore parts of central CA and parts of coast north of the San Francisco Bay, as well as in and around the Santa Barbara Channel. Similar patterns were predicted for cellular domoic acid (cDA) risk as those for pDA, although with much lower probabilities in the Bight (southeast of the SB Channel) early to mid-month. Those cDA probabilities intensified to near 100% in the Santa Monica/San Pedro Bay area as well as for parts of the Orange County coastline. Relative to April, both pDA and cDA probabilities were intensified for much of the North Coast, which could indicate a real chance of greater toxicity for northern California. HABMAP pDA data are not yet available for June. However, note that the only two California Sea Lion strandings from suspected DA toxicosis in June were reported by The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) on June 12th in Monterey and June 29th in San Luis Obispo (both in central CA, consistent with the overall trends in C-HARM output). No new shellfish warnings or closures associated with DA occurred in June outside of the annual seasonal quarantine for harvesting recreational shellfish and ongoing razor clam advisories in parts of northern California.

Alexandrium - CDPH noted that Alexandrium spp. were present at Pacifica Pier (near SF) in June, but for the most part, not at significant levels anywhere in the state. This is consistent with HABMAP sampling, which caught increases in Alexandrium numbers twice in June at Cal Poly Pier, 240 miles south of Pacifica. There remain no recreational shellfish advisories related to PSP at this time.

*Please note that HABMAP sampling, CDPH sampling, and marine mammal rescues have been greatly reduced in response to COVID-19 safety measures.

Santa Cruz Wharf

Five water samples were collected at Santa Cruz Wharf in June. Molecular probes for toxigenic Pseudo-nitzschia in the "seriata" class are conducted for this site, and was detected on June 16 below threshold. Alexandrium spp. were detected twice (June 9, 16). Domoic acid was not detected.

The Santa Cruz Wharf shore station is supported by CeNCOOS PI Raphael Kudela at UCSC.

Cal Poly Pier

Four water samples were collected at Cal Poly Pier in June. Pseudo-nitzschia "delicatissima" was not detected in any sample. Pseudo-nitzschia "seriata" was detected once (June 14) slightly below the bloom threshold value. Alexandrium spp. were detected twice (June 14, June 21). Domoic acid results are not yet available. 

Cal Poly Pier shore station is supported by SCCOOS and PIs Ryan Walter and Ally Pasulka at Cal Poly. 

Stearns Wharf

Four water samples were collected at Stearns Wharf in June. Pseudo-nitzschia "delicatissima" and Pseudo-nitzschia "seriata" were detected on each occasion (June 7, 14, 21, 28), all below the bloom threshold. Alexandrium spp. were not detected. Domoic acid results are not yet available.

Stearns Wharf is supported by SCCOOS and PIs Mark Brzezinski and Libe Washburn at UCSB. 

Santa Monica Pier

Four water samples were collected at Santa Monica Pier in June. Pseudo-nitzschia "delicatissima" was detected three times (June 14, 21, 28), with only June 28 above the threshold. Pseudo-nitzschia "seriata" was also detected three times (June 14, 21, 28), all below the bloom threshold . Alexandrium spp. were not detected. Domoic acid results are not yet available. 

The Santa Monica Pier shore station is supported by SCCOOS and PI Rebecca Shipe at UCLA.

Scripps Pier

Scripps Pier water samples are not available for April 2020 through June 2021.

Scripps Pier is supported by SCCOOS and PIs Melissa Carter and Clarissa Anderson at UCSD.