Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with South Korea’s National Institute of Environmental Research to strengthen international collaboration on harmful algal bloom management and response, including for blue-green algae.
This MOU directly results from Governor DeSantis’s trade mission to South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Israel to expand economic opportunities and collaboration.
Read: Florida DOH-Polk Cautions About Blue-Green Algae At Multiple Lakes In Polk County
“Expanding Florida’s capabilities to respond to harmful algal blooms helps us protect our economy and keep our natural resources healthy,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida and South Korea have a strong economic partnership, particularly in the technology sector, and through this MOU, both partners will further ongoing research to combat harmful algal blooms like blue-green algae.”
Harmful algal blooms significantly hurt Florida’s coastal economy and the health of Florida’s water resources. Both the State of Florida and South Korea are committed to developing cutting-edge strategies to prevent, detect, cleanup, and mitigate these types of blooms.
This shared work will further the state’s capabilities to effectively respond to and prevent future harmful algal blooms that impact the state, like blue-green algae.
Read: Florida DOH-Hillsborough Issues Blue-Green Algae Health Alert At Lake Thonotosassa
“Through this partnership, we’re not just sharing knowledge; we’re forging a path to resilience against environmental challenges,” said Hanseung Kum, President of the National Institute of Environmental Research in South Korea. “The collaboration between South Korea and Florida highlights our deep commitment to deploying science and innovation in the battle against harmful algal blooms, ensuring healthier ecosystems for our communities.”
“I am particularly proud of this partnership, which signals our commitment to a wide range of science-based strategies toward keeping our waterbodies pristine,” said Florida Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains. “This agreement will not only benefit Floridians and Koreans, but the greater scientific community.”
This MOU establishes a framework for collaboration, mutual learning, and sharing technology, including:
- Cooperation on the issue of harmful algal bloom reduction, including reducing nutrient loading to waterbodies; monitoring, modeling, and risk assessment; and innovative treatment technologies.
- The exchange of scientific and technical information through the transmission of data, reports, publications, and presentations.
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