Phytoplankton Monitoring

Join us for a first-class Citizen Science Monitoring Program put on at the GTM Research Reserve! The Phytoplankton Monitoring Program is operated by NOAA’s National Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) which monitors marine phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms (HABs). Participants will have the opportunity to see, up-close, both zooplankton (animals) and phytoplankton (plants) while supplying useful data to scientists. The data collected provides critical information on species composition and distribution in our coastal waters which acts as an indicator of our local water quality. A small number of these species produce highly potent toxins and the monitoring of them is very important to ensure oceanic and public health.