From April to June 2015 the Marine Institute (Ireland) in collaboration with the IOC Science and Communication Centre for Harmful Algae (Denmark) will conduct a proficiency test under the NMBAQC-BEQUALM umbrella on marine phytoplankton abundance and composition amongst laboratories. The intercomparison and proficiency test is open for participation for all relevant laboratories globally. This test will be broken down into two main areas and each participant will be asked to return results for each. The two areas are: Identification – in the form of a “Taxonomic Quiz”, This test will be set up on a distant learning web platform called ‘Ocean teacher’. Participants will need to log on with a username and password and answer the questions online. Enumeration and identification – a number of preserved seawater samples spiked with phytoplankton cultured material or/and natural field samples will be sent to each laboratory. The number and type of samples has not been decided yet and will be adapted to be relevant to the participants Friday, 27th March 2015 Deadline for Registration Friday, 29th May 2015 Samples sent to analysts Friday, 26th June 2015 Deadline for submission of results to lead laboratory Dates to be arranged Intercalibration Report and Workshop

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