Harmful Algae in the Canadian Arctic: The Phantom Menace?

We assessed the distribution of potential harmful phytoplankton species from the Canadian Arctic to identify locations that are more vulnerable to harmful algal blooms (HABs). To do so, we reviewed 125 references and databases from phytoplankton surveys from the past century. We found that there are at least 67 potential harmful phytoplankton species in the Canadian Arctic, including at least 34 toxic species. Potential harmful species were present in all marine bioregions from the Canadian Arctic. Species belong to Bacillariophyta, Dinophyta, Haptophyta and Raphidophyta phyla. Two Bacillariophyta species, Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima and P. seriata, were reported in all marine bioregions from the Canadian Arctic. To date, no HAB event has been reported in the Canadian Arctic. However, as human populations rely on traditional harvest of fish and marine mammals as subsistence food, HABs pose a health risk if local populations were to consume infested animals. To help prevent such event, the results of the current study will be made available through a public database and presented to local populations. As the current climate change and increasing ship traffic might favor the establishment and the range expansion of harmful species in the Arctic, the occurrence of HABs in the near future is highly probable.