OceanTeacher Global Academy

The Advanced Phytoplankton Course series (APC) was initiated in the 1970s at the University of Oslo with the support of UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Subsequent Courses were held from 1985 to 2015 at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), in 2012 at the University of Copenhagen and in 2019 at the Station Biologique de Roscoff (SBR). Over the last four decades, APC has contributed to the dissemination of the vast and ever-expanding body of knowledge on phytoplankton taxonomy, which has recently gained renewed interest because of its importance for interpreting advanced high-throughput imaging and molecular data. Many of the current experts in marine phytoplankton research have been trained at previous APC editions. 

The 13th Advanced Phytoplankton Course (APC13) is organized by SZN together with SBR, the IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae (IOC UNESCO / SCCHA) and Ocean Teacher Global Academy (IOC UNESCO / OTGA). 

As proliferações nocivas de algas (Harmful Algal Blooms, HABs) apresentam múltiplos impactos negativos na exploração de recursos marinhos vivos, outras atividades socioeconómicas, saúde pública e dinamica dos ecossistemas marinhos. O aumento da intensidade e frequência destes eventos exige a aplicação de medidas de gestão ambiental adequadas, incluindo a previsão de HAB e eventual mitigação dos seus efeitos. Este curso abrange tópicos relevantes na área da fisiologia e ecologia de organismos formadores de HAB em ecossistemas marinhos, incluindo traços funcionais, forçadores ambientais, padrões de distribuição e tendências de evolução temporal. 

Since 1993 the IOC has conducted training courses on harmful microalgae. The purpose has been to improve the taxonomic and identification skills of the participants for research purposes and for practical monitoring of harmful algal blooms.

From 2006 the IOC training in HAB identification has been offered within a new framework which gives accreditation. The present course includes now a practical exam at the end of the course with an IOC Certificate of Proficiency in Identification of Harmful Algae issued to participants who pass the exam. We know by experience that many of the more than 500 trainees we have had over the years have wished the courses to give accreditation, and in some countries, the IOC courses have become a reference for laboratories to be approved for carrying out regulatory monitoring for harmful microalgae.

The IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, Denmark is organizing the course. 

International Phytoplankton Intercomparison

International Phytoplankton Intercomparison

HAB course for the Pacific Islands

HAB course for South Africa and Namibia

HAB International Phytoplankton Intercalibration (IPI) proficiency testing scheme for all relevant laboratories globally.

This course offers an introduction to the diversity, taxonomy and biogeography of the seaweeds of the Tropical East Pacific (Ecuador), in the framework of the project Seaweed-based innovations for a resilient aquaculture and agriculture (SIRENA funded by VLIR-UOS).

International Phytoplankton Intercomparison