Master of Science / Food Science Institute / Curtis Kastner / Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) including Cyanobacteria and other toxic marine biota are responsible for similar harmful effects on human health, food safety, ecosystem maintenance, economic losses and liability issues for aquaculture farms as well as the food industry. Detection, monitoring and mitigation are all key factors in decreasing the deleterious effects of these toxic algal blooms. Harmful algal blooms can manifest toxic effects on a number of facets of animal physiology, elicit noxious taste and odor events and cause mass fish as well as animal kills. Such blooms can adversely impact the perception of the efficacy and safety of the food industry, water utilities, the quality of aquaculture and land farming products, as well as cause ripple effects experienced by coastal communities. HABs can adversely impact coastal areas and other areas reliant on local aquatic ecosystems through the loss of revenues experienced by local restaurants, food manufacturers as well as seafood harvesting/processing plants; loss of tourism revenue, decreased property values and a fundamental shift in the lives of those that are reliant upon those industries for their quality of life. This paper discusses Cyanobacteria, macroalgae, HABs, Cyanobacteria toxins, mitigation of HAB populations and their products as well as the ramifications this burgeoning threat to aquatic/ landlocked communities including challenges these toxic algae pose to the field of food science and the economy.

Protection of the agriculture and food infrastructure, defined as "the physical production and distribution systems critical to supporting national security and economic well-being, including all activities essential to food, feed, and fiber production, including all techniques for raising and processing livestock," is the responsibility of all stakeholders in the food supply chain (Spellman, 2008, p.8). Though many stakeholders emerge in the chain, producers are the primary line of defense to a disease epidemic. Many factors influence livestock producers‘ protective action decision process in relation to biological hazards. By identifying these factors in a specific producer population, more effective preparedness programs and messages can be developed by risk communicators. The purpose and objectives of this study determined Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) members‘ perceptions of vulnerability to the Texas cattle industry, perceived emergency preparedness level, barriers to adoption of protective actions, and sources of animal health information. This study targeted 7,661 members of the TSCRA. An online survey questionnaire developed from previous research with similar populations allowed TSCRA members to respond to questions related to the objective of this study. A representative sample of TSCRA members from Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico responded to the survey. Recognizing susceptibility to biological hazards, TSCRA members identified high levels of perceived trust and reliability in local veterinarians as a source of information, consistent with previous studies. Although the majority of members reported they did not have a biosecurity plan implemented on their operations, they did recognize the necessity of preventative practices. TSCRA members were neutral on all barriers to adoption of protective actions; however, the barrier "lack of information" was rated higher by means as a barrier to adoption of protective actions. When investigating differences among noncommercial and commercial operations managed by TSCRA members, no statistical differences were identified in this study. However, when investigating differences among TSCRA members and number of cattle managed, a weak positive correlation was identified for perception of hazard by threat in relation to more animals managed. Findings of this study confirmed sources stating that the agriculture and food infrastructure is vulnerable to biological hazards as perceived by livestock owners (Motes, 2007; Spellman, 2008). Ashlock (2006) and Riley (2007) found similar perspectives of vulnerability among Oklahoma and Kansas producers further strengthening the need to protect the agriculture and food critical infrastructure as outlined by Homeland Security Presidential Directive – 9 (HSPD-9, 2004). Since it was determined that veterinarians are perceived to be the most reliable and trustworthy source of information by TSCRA members, local opinion leaders, such as veterinarians, should engage in train-the-trainer programs to ensure a consistent risk communication message is being disseminated.