OceanTeacher Global Academy

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. 

This training course will focus on raising the awareness for the need for Quality Assurance and Quality Control on Marine Ecosystem-based Management. Participants will be introduced to up-to-date best practices and standards as well as the quality assurance and quality control on marine ecosystem observation, and marine instrument measurement testing, specifically on the four important sectors of the whole process of QA and QC, namely sensors, laboratory, data processing, and product application. The course will use case studies relevant for the Western Pacific.