Manman Li¹ , Xianming Li²

1 Hainan Institute of Biotechnology, Haikou, 570206, Hainan, China
2 Aquatic Biology Research Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 3311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Aquaculture, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 1   
Received: 30 Jan., 2026    Accepted: 28 Feb., 2026    Published: 24 Mar., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This study explores the management and mitigation strategies for harmful algal blooms (HABs), with a focus on analyzing their formation mechanisms, monitoring and early warning technologies, the effectiveness and limitations of various control methods, and the practical application of integrated management measures. It also discusses the current challenges in governance and future development directions. The occurrence of harmful algal blooms is the result of multiple interacting factors, including excessive nutrient inputs, climate change, altered hydrological conditions, and ecosystem imbalance, posing serious threats to aquatic ecosystems, human health, and socioeconomic development. Current response measures primarily fall into three categories: proactive source prevention, direct in-water intervention, and impact mitigation based on monitoring and early warning, encompassing various physical, chemical, and biological methods. Advanced technologies such as satellite remote sensing, unmanned aerial vehicles, and artificial intelligence models have become important tools for monitoring and early warning. In terms of integrated management, watershed-scale nutrient control, ecological restoration measures such as constructed wetlands and ecological floating islands, combined with best management practices (BMPs), have shown promising results. Typical regional cases further validate the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and comprehensive policies. However, current governance still faces challenges such as high costs, limited technology application, unstable long-term control effects, and increased difficulty due to climate change. Research indicates that a single governance method is insufficient to achieve long-term effective control of harmful algal blooms, highlighting the need for more integrated, adaptive, and ecosystem-based management strategies in the future.

Harmful algal blooms; Management strategies; Formation mechanism; Monitoring and early warning Comprehensive Management