Chattonella marina bloom in the coastal sea off Mahe, Southwest India
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are becoming an increasing problem to human health and environment, including harmful effects on natural and cultured resources, tourism and ecosystems all over the world. Marine raphidophycean algae, Chattonella spp., have been implicated in major fish deaths in various parts of the world and are regarded as the most noxious HAB species in Japan and China.