Pfiesteria in Maryland: Reactions and Reality Dan Terlizzi Water Quality Specialist University of...
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Transcript of Pfiesteria in Maryland: Reactions and Reality Dan Terlizzi Water Quality Specialist University of...
Pfiesteria in Maryland:Reactions and Reality
Dan Terlizzi
Water Quality SpecialistUniversity of Maryland Sea Grant
The Chesapeake Bay…a nutrient enriched estuary
Excess Phytoplankton:
• Low oxygen
• Decline in SAV
• HAB concerns
Bad Day at HyrockAugust, 1996
• Estuarine HSB aquaculture
• Mahogany Tide including Pfiesteria and Karladinium micrum
• Copper treatment resulted in loss of 20,000 HSB
Pfiesteria piscicidaAKA “the cell from hell”
Reported to have:1)Complex life history
amoebae
cysts
vegetative cells
2) Potent toxin
3) Lesions
Karladinium micrum (Gyrodinium galatheanum)
• Hyrock kills• Chesapeake and Mid-
Atlantic• Toxin isolated • YATA
The Pfiesteria hysteria in MarylandSummer,1997
• Lesions and mortality observed on the Pocomoke river
• Connection made with Pfiesteria in NC
• Linkages made to Ag nutrients by advisory panels
Criteria for selecting events to increase Environmentalism
• A breaking event
• Compelling images of destruction
• A clearly defined villain
• Human drama
Is this the future of the Bay?
Defining the problem
• Is this a Pfiesteria problem?
• Is another organism responsible?
• What is the risk to human health?
• What is the cause?
• What can we do about it?
The Water Quality Improvement Act of 1998“The right law for the wrong reasons”
• Mandatory nutrient management
• Management of N and P
• The most stringent agricultural pollution control law in the US
• A model for other State and Federal guidelines
The Costs
• Almost $ 50 million in Seafood in 1997
• Losses to recreational boating, angling and tourism
• Alienation of the Agricultural community
Extension programmingOver 50 presentation to Stakeholders
• Emphasis on:
Water quality concerns in the Chesapeake and the nature of HABs
Uncertain links between the poultry industry and Pfiesteria
Questions about the toxicity and life history of Pfiesteria
Reactions:
• “He’s on our side”--a poultry farmer
• “How can you question the link between Pfiesteria and nutrients and not be an apologist for Frank Perdue”– Lawyer- Environmentalist