3 shellfish samples and 1 phytoplankton sample were tested at KBRR using a field test; all samples were negative for domoic acid.

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1 Kachemak Research Reserve Phytoplankton Update THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY FOR THE SAMPLES! Our plankton community monitoring network is unparalleled in the State of Alaska due to your time and dedication to collecting and delivering samples. You help shape our understanding of what is happening out there! The short story: There are Pseudo-nitzschia blooms happening all up the west coast right now, with some producing high levels of domoic acid in some areas. These blooms are associated with warm water, and the water in Kachemak is warmer than normal this year. The local bloom we have been experiencing has low toxicity even though the cell concentrations are high. Sampling summary: See sample list attached for more info 4 phytoplankton samples were the NOAA lab last month and the levels of domoic acid tested in all samples were low. We are awaiting results for 4 more samples from the last 2 weeks. 3 shellfish samples and 1 phytoplankton sample were tested at KBRR using a field test; all samples were negative for domoic acid. 1 shellfish sample collected 6/11/15 was sent to DEC in Anchorage, we just received results that the level of DA is well below the regulated limit of 2mg/kg or 20ppm. Similar very low levels of DA were in the oyster sample submitted by Kachemak Shellfish Growers Coop around the same time frame. 19 phytoplankton samples have been collected and qualitatively analyzed at KBRR. The Pseudo-nitzschia bloom in Kachemak persists at both inner and outer bay sampling sites. Dominic report: Samples have been counted at Kasitsna Lab and the Pseudo-nitschia count has decreased to 96,000 cells per liter, down from a high of 2,510,000 during our last update. From the attached table you will see that Pseudo-nitzschia has bloomed more significantly in the Inner sites the past two weeks with temps ranging from 11 to 12.5 C. All sites in the Outer have significant Pseudo-nitzschia levels except Port Graham, our furthest out site, where Chaetoceros was the most abundant. Water temperatures ranged from 9.6 to Sadie has had higher water temperatures and a consistent Pseudo-nitzschia bloom. Our zooplankton samples have been quite thick (resembling a brown soup!) and mostly a mix of copepods, phytoplankton and jellies. Alaska Sampling: Given that Kachemak has the only active phytoplankton monitoring network in coastal Alaska, it is difficult to know the extent of the bloom. To get some response effort going so we know the extent of what is happening in the ecosystem we are outreaching to other organizations.

2 Domonic Hondolero of NOAA Kasitsna Lab is performing quantitative analysis counting cells for samples in Kachemak. Amy Holman of NOAA incident response is studying a potential Ecological Incident out west and is collecting phytoplankton for us in the next few weeks on her trip to the Arctic on the NOAA Fairweather. The Gulf Watch project is currently sampling phytoplankton nearshore and offshore along Katmai Coast and bringing back mussel tissue samples for Domoic Acid testing here at KBRR. The bigger picture: Toxic blooms typically originate offshore and are brought onshore when current and wind patterns are favorable. It is possible that some of the offshore bloom could be diverted into the Kachemak region and our course of action is to continue monitoring cell counts and to sample representative shellfish once or twice a week using the rapid field test kit. If rapid test kits results continue to remain below levels of concern we will not submit more tissue samples to the State of Alaska DEC. Water sampling is ongoing and if the bloom becomes toxic, NOAA and ADEC will coordinate the response. Angela Doroff will be participating in an interagency conference next week to gain insights from others about their current monitoring, modeling, and response activities for Domoic Acid toxicity. We will be summarizing the key points of how monitoring fits in to mitigating potential human health effects for you in the next phytoplankton update. As this bloom continues KBRR will read water samples as they come in and test shellfish once a week using the SPOT field tests. Please contact Jessica Ryan Jessica.ryan@alaska.gov with any questions over the next two weeks as Syverine will be out of the office until July 13 th and Catie will be out of office through the end of July. Syverine Abrahamson for Catie Bursch HAB program coordinator Kachemak Research Reserve 95 Sterling Hwy, Suite 2 Homer, AK (907) kbrr.harmfulspeciesprogram@gmail.com

3 KBRR Domoic Acid Testing Phytoplankton samples tested by NOAA Charleston Lab for DA testing: 5/26 Phytoplankton Bear NOAA Charleston Lab 235 ng/l 5/20 Phytoplankton Homer NOAA Charleston Lab 149 ng/l 6/17 Phytoplankton Sadie Mid NOAA Charleston Lab results pending 6/17 Phytoplankton China Poot NOAA Charleston Lab results pending 6/24 Phytoplankton Sadie Mid NOAA Charleston Lab results pending 6/24 Phytoplankton China Poot NOAA Charleston Lab results pending (For comparison, the Monterey, CA Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) is observing domoic acid concentrations greater than 30,000 ng/l.) Since the levels of DA measured in the algae were low, it is unlikely that this bloom was toxic enough to make the shellfish a public health problem. Shellfish sent by KBRR to DEC State of Alaska for DA testing: 6/10 blue mussels China Poot Alaska DEC <0.049 mg/kg Shellfish tested by Kachemak Research Reserve with Spot field test for DA: 6/11 blue mussels Jakolof Dock KBRR spot Negative for DA 6/17 blue mussels Sadie KBRR spot Negative for DA 6/17 blue mussels China Poot KBRR spot Negative for DA 6/22 blue mussels China Poot KBRR spot Negative for DA 6/22 phytoplankton China Poot KBRR spot Negative for DA

4 Kachemak Research Reserve Phytoplankton Update Qualitative Analysis Phytoplankton Data INNER BAY Date Bear SWMP 6-14 Homer 6-15 Halibut 6-17 China Poot 6-17 Homer 6-20 Peterson 6-22 Halibut 6-22 China Poot 6-24 Homer 6-24 Peterson 6-24 China Poot Water temp Salinity Dominant species with Abundance level Noctiluca Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Dinophysis None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None Pseudonitszchia Alexandrium Dinoflagellates

5 Kachemak Research Reserve Qualitative Analysis Phytoplankton Data OUTER BAY Date Tutka 6-14 Jakolof Reveil farm 6-15 Port Graham 6-17 Sadie 6-18 Tutka 6-21 Sadie Water temp Salinity Dominant species with Abundance level Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia 5 30 Chaetoceros Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Pseudo-nitzschia Dinophysis P- nitszchia Alexand rium None None None None None None None None None None None None Dinoflagellates 6-21 Jakolof Reveil Farm 6-24 Sadie Pseudo-nitzschia Diverse Diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia None None None None