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. 

IOC Training Course and Identification Qualification in Harmful Marine Microalgae 2026

Course description: The course includes 100 hours of teaching and is divided into two parts. 1) The first part of the course is organised online using the elearning platform of IOC/IODE/OceanTeacher Global Academy, giving general introductions to the various groups of harmful algae; this part is mainly for self-study and estimated to 40 hours of reading. 2) The second part is a practical course in species identification (see tentative programme below). Part 2 includes 60 hours of teaching and a microscope will be available to each participant during the entire period, see also link below.

Participants: The course is aimed at participants who have some years of practical experience in identification of microalgae. The number of participants is limited to 16. If there are more applicants than available seats, priority will be given to applicants who have direct research or management responsibilities with regard to the occurrence of harmful algae.

Dates: Part 1 will be offred through the eLearning platform of OTGA’ from October onwards; part 2 takes place from 28 February 2026

Venue on site: IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Language: English.

Course lecturers: Dr. Santiago Fraga, Dr. Jacob Larsen, Dr. Nina Lundholm, Professor Øjvind Moestrup.

Enquiries may be sent to Jacob Larsen, jacobl@bio.ku.dk

 Price: The course is organized on a cost-recovery basis. The price of the course is 4200 EUR and it is a package deal, which covers all expenses during the course period, see also link below; thus

• Accommodation, - c/o Danhostel, Lejrskolevej 4, 3400 Hillerød.
• All meals during the course, starting with an evening meal upon arrival 
• Access to the distant learning programme on the OceanTeacher Global Academy eLearning platform
• Teaching material including hard copies or pdf-versions of the following books which will be distributed during the practical part of the course:
• Lassus, P., Chomérat, N., Hess, P. & Nézan, E. 2016. Toxic and Harmful Microalgae of the World Ocean. – Denmark. International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae / Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of Unesco. IOC Manuals and Guides 68, 523 pp. (hard copy)
• Hoppenrath, M., Chomérat, N., Horiguchi, T., Murray, S.A. & Rhodes, L. 2023. Marine benthic dinoflagellates – their relevance for science and society (2nd, revised edition). - Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Senckenberg Buch vol. 88, 376 pp.
• Karlson, B., Cusack, C. & Bresnan, E. (eds). 2010. Microscopic and molecular methods fro quantitative phytoplankton analysis. – IOC Manuals and Guides 55, Paris, Unesco, 110 pp. (pdf-version)
• Larsen, J. & Nguyen, N.L. (eds). 2004. Potentially toxic microalgae of Vietnamese waters. – Opera Bot. 140: 5-216 (pdf-version)
• Reguera, B., Alonso, R., Moreira, A., Méndez, S., Dechraoui-Bottein, M.-Y. (eds). 2016. Guide for designing and implementing a plan to monotor toxin-producing microalge. 2^nd ed. – IOC Gudies and Manuals 59, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of Unesco and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Paris and Vienna, 66 pp. (pdf-version)
• Proceedings from various HAB conferences (pdf-versions)
• Copies of all lectures given during the course
• Use of facilities, microscopes, samples, and cultures
• Tuition during the practical part of the course

Species identification

This part of the course will focus on identification of harmful algal species by light microscopy, with particular reference to the ‘IOC Taxonomic Reference List on Toxic Plankton Algae’. The use of electron microscopy will be introduced, but practical exercises are not included. During the course, the following species will be demonstrated either as cultures (*subject to the availability of cultures) or as preserved material.

Haptophyceae*: Chrysochromulina spp. Prymnesium spp.

Raphidophyceae*: Chattonella antiqua, C. ovata, C. subsalsa, Fibrocapsa japonica, Heterosigma akashiwo, Olisthodiscus luteus (Olisthodiscophyceae).

Dictyochophyceae*: Pseudo-chattonella verruculosa

Dinophyceae: Prorocentrum concavum, P. cordatum, P. emarginatum, P. gracile, P. obtusidens, P. hoffmannianum, P. lima, P. micans, P. rhathymum, P. rostratum, P. scutellum, P. triestenum

Dinophysis acuta, D. acuminata, D. caudata, D. fortii, D. miles, Phalacroma mitra, D. norvegica, P. rotundatum, D. tripos

Alexandrium affine, A. minutum*, A. catenella, A. ostenfeldii, A. pacificum*, A. pseudogonyaulax, A. tamarense, A. taylorii

Pyrodinium bahamense, Lingulodinium polyedrum, Protoceratium reticulatum, Gonyaulax polygramma, G. spinifera, Vulcanodinium rugosum, Gambierdiscus spp, Coolia spp., Ostreopsis spp.

Akashiwo sanguinea*, Amphidinium carterae*, Margalefidinium polykrikoides*, Gymnodinium catenatum*, G. impudicum*, Karenia mikimotoi*, K. papilionaceae*, K. selliformis*, Karlodinium armiger*, K. micrum*, Noctiluca scintillans.

Bacillariophyceae: Pseudo-nitzschia australis, P. calliantha*, P. delicatissima, P. fraudulenta, P. multiseries, P. pungens*, P. seriata, Nitzschia navis-varingica.

Cyanobacteria: Anabaena spp, Anabaenopsis spp, Aphanizomenon spp., Cylindro-spermopsis spp., Microcystis spp, Nodularia spumigena, Trichodesmium sp.

Feedback survey 

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses. Note: submitting the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate

Certificate: A certificate of completion will be awarded to all participants who attended all classes and activities and completed the final test onsite. 

Cancellation policy:

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.