Scientific Assessment of Hypoxia in U.S. Coastal Waters

This Report dated September 2010 and prepared by the Interagency Working Group
on Harmful Algal Blooms, Hypoxia, and Human Health finds that Hypoxia is a major contributor to the decline of coastal water quality observed in recent decades,
and its extent has been expanding.

It is part of the broader issue of nutrient-driven eutrophication. Eutrophication is also linked to increased HABs, loss of seagrasses, and other impacts on coastal ecosystems. For eutrophic ecosystems, concerted and coupled research and management efforts, along with stakeholder support, will be needed to rigorously identify, quantify, and implement nutrient reduction strategies that are effective and achievable. Knowledge gained will be important for developing forecasts of the extent and severity of low dissolved oxygen, which will help managers mitigate the impacts of hypoxia.