CYANONET is a Global Network for the Hazard Management of Cyanobacterial Blooms and Toxins in Water Resources.

This project is part of UNESCO's International Hydrology Programme (IHP). The aims of CYANONET are initially to carry out a global situation assessment of available data and materials, actual and perceived needs, regarding:

• Occurrence of cyanobacterial mass populations
• Occurrence of cyanobacterial toxins (cyanotoxins)
• Reported incidents of adverse health effects including case studies
• Surveys and epidemiological studies investigating associations between cyanobacterial populations, cyanotoxins and health
• Adverse impacts of cyanobacterial mass populations on water supply, waterbody use and ecological status
• Management actions and instruments to reduce the adverse effects of cyanobacterial mass populations and cyanotoxins
• Available educational, training and awareness-raising materials, practices and needs

It is emphasised that this assessment does not require additional environmental sampling or analysis, but is focussing on what is already available or in progress. Clear returns where there are no data, records, policies etc will be noted, alongside the "positive" information.

This situation assessment exercise is being carried out by the ISC on a supra-national basis (see Structure in General Info).

The ISC recognises that awareness, published data, official recognition and management practices with respect to the occurrence, health and economic significance of cyanobacy-terial and cyanotoxins vary widely between countries and regions. For some countries, professional and public awareness is relatively high and management measures and materials are available. In others, this is not the case.

CYANONET aims, in the longer term, to increase such awareness by the dissemination of information, training and education, and by the sharing of experience and best practice.