Grantee Research Project Results

2023 Progress Report: Kodiak Region Harmful Algal Blooms Monitoring

EPA Grant Number: EM840533
Title: Kodiak Region Harmful Algal Blooms Monitoring
Investigators: Kornelis, Tyler
Institution: Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA)
EPA Project Officer: Ludwig-Monty, Sarah
Project Period: February 1, 2023 through January 31, 2024 (Extended to January 31, 2025)
Project Period Covered by this Report: February 1, 2023 through January 31,2024
Project Amount: $50,000
RFA: Congressionally Directed Spending (2022)
Research Category: Endocrine Disruptors , Harmful Algal Blooms , Tribal Environmental Health Research , Air , Aquatic Toxicology

Objective:

The main objective of this project is to help address harmful environmental trends in the Kodiak region of Alaska through phytoplankton monitoring and bi-weekly shellfish sampling.

Progress Summary:

The Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) has identified the presence of three different genuses of phytoplankton that pose a threat to human health and marine mammals, and one of them can produce saxitoxin, the toxin responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). There is no statewide monitoring program in Alaska. Because some of the highest toxin values in the state of Alaska have been recorded in Kodiak waters, Tribal members and other Kodiak subsistence resource users have stressed the importance of monitoring and research that will help reduce their risk of harvesting during a PSP event. The Kodiak Region Harmful Algal Blooms Monitoring project is vital for understanding the environmental trends impacting the shellfish in Kodiak waters, educating residents about the harmful algal blooms and biotoxins, and providing adaptation practices for harvesting practices. Despite the challenges we faced, EPA Grant funding 84053301 has bolstered KANA’s ability to address environmental trends that pose a threat to human health and other mammals utilized as subsistence resources by native and non-native Alaskans. 

In February 2023, KANA opened a part-time Environmental Technician position. The position was filled and Kasey Jo Wright started on May 15, 2023.  Wright has the responsibility of conducting all fieldwork, including phytoplankton tows, analysis, and shellfish collection. A significant amount of time was dedicated to familiarizing her with phytoplankton tow protocols and Identification as well as shellfish collection protocols. 

However, no samples were collected during this first year due to a delay in the quality assurance project plan (QAPP). When we applied for this grant we were under the understanding that SEATOR had an approved umbrella QAPP. However, after reviewing this award, it was determined that there had not been an approved QAPP by the lab and regional consortium.  

After learning this information, KANA worked with SEATOR to determine the implementation timeline and explain the overall impact the lack of QAPP was having on programs. Following several months of waiting, KANA worked with EPA staff to clarify requirements and seek guidance. However, due to the delays, KANA drafted and submitted an umbrella QAPP for the Kodiak region on September 30th, 2023. Regrettably, this initial QAPP was deemed insufficient as it lacked the necessary quality assurance premier required by the lab. We then switched gears and assisted the SEATOR with creating a joint SEATOR and KANA umbrella QAPP.  A draft umbrella QAPP was submitted to SEATOR’s EPA project officer on January 25th. On January 29th, we received initial edits and began revising the draft of the QAPP. We anticipate receiving approval for the QAPP within the first quarter of year two. Once approved, KANA’s Environmental Technician will start sample collection and harvest and hold data collection.  

The goals of the project have not changed from the original application. A no-cost extension request, along with a budget revision and revised milestones/ timelines was submitted to our EPA Project Officer on December 28th, 2023. Revisions to the budget included moving SEATOR lab costs to personnel. See objective 2 for more information. The request was approved by the Grants Office on January 23rd, 2024. This extension grants our team additional time to work with the EPA, Sitka, Kodiak Tribes, and Kodiak communities to collect samples in Kodiak and connect with Tribes. It also enables us to increase sampling collection capacity in the villages as well as continue to provide shellfish toxin monitoring for a longer duration. This prolonged period of performance ensures that our program staff meets the required project milestones and utilizes funding effectively to support this vital work.  

Future Activities:

• Promote the Harvest and Hold Strategy by creating flyers, social media posts, etc. to promote KANA accepting shellfish from subsistence harvesters and providing shellfish toxin results so they can make informed harvest decisions. This milestone addresses Objective 3. Allowiong Tribal members an opportunity to test their subsistence harvest for toxin levels
• Collaborate with Tribal environmental staff in the villages and on the Kodiak Road System about HABs and shellfish testing. This milestone addresses Objective 2; increasing knowledge about HABs and biotoxins in Kodiak waters.
• QAPP Development with Sitka Tribe and EPA
• Collect weekly phytoplankton baseline data samples, toxin analysis, and data entry into the SEATOR database. This milestone addresses Objective 1; sample collection, data collection, and data analysis.
• Collect bi-weekly/monthly shellfish samples at each site and send to STAERL for analysis; This milestone addresses Objective 1; sample collection, data collection, and data analysis.
• Create outreach and PSA resources based on shellfish toxicity levels as needed; This milestone addresses Objective 2, by increasing knowledge about HABs and biotoxins in Kodiak waters.
• Update “HAB Hub” bi-monthly with recent results and project details; This milestone addresses Objective 2, by increasing knowledge about HABs and biotoxins in Kodiak waters.
• Continue to look for and apply for additional grant funding to support the program; This milestone addresses Objectives 1, 2, and 3; supporting long-duration funding to continue the program.
• Collaborate with STAERL and Kodiak Tribes to compile
  samples and environmental datasets for PSP into a final report; This milestone addresses Objective 2; by increasing knowledge about HABs in Kodiak waters.

Relevant Websites:

Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network Exit

Kodiak Area Native Association  Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Final Report