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The Chesapeake Bay… a nutrient enriched estuary

Pfiesteria in Maryland: Reactions and Reality Dan Terlizzi Water Quality Specialist University of Maryland Sea Grant. The Chesapeake Bay… a nutrient enriched estuary. Excess Phytoplankton: Low oxygen Decline in SAV HAB concerns. Bad Day at Hyrock August, 1996. Estuarine HSB aquaculture

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The Chesapeake Bay… a nutrient enriched estuary

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  1. Pfiesteria in Maryland:Reactions and RealityDan TerlizziWater Quality SpecialistUniversity of Maryland Sea Grant

  2. The Chesapeake Bay…a nutrient enriched estuary Excess Phytoplankton: • Low oxygen • Decline in SAV • HAB concerns

  3. Bad Day at HyrockAugust, 1996 • Estuarine HSB aquaculture • Mahogany Tide including Pfiesteria and Karladinium micrum • Copper treatmentresulted in loss of 20,000 HSB

  4. Pfiesteria piscicidaAKA “the cell from hell” Reported to have: 1)Complex life history amoebae cysts vegetative cells 2) Potent toxin 3) Lesions

  5. Karladinium micrum(Gyrodinium galatheanum) • Hyrock kills • Chesapeake and Mid- Atlantic • Toxin isolated • YATA

  6. 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

  7. Criteria for selecting events to increase Environmentalism • A breaking event • Compelling images of destruction • A clearly defined villain • Human drama

  8. Is this the future of the Bay?

  9. 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?

  10. 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

  11. The Costs • Almost $ 50 million in Seafood in 1997 • Losses to recreational boating, angling and tourism • Alienation of the Agricultural community

  12. 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

  13. 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

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