Karenia mikimotoi

This report does, however, highlight the potential need for vigilance in monitoring
reports of the unusual occurrence of dead fish on beaches, or reported incidents of skin
irritation and/or lesions in water users in eutrophic estuaries in the UK as these would
probably be the first indications of any harmful effects due to Pfiesteria spp.
3.5.5 Monitoring strategies
Because of the possible health implications and economic impact on coastal areas in
several US states, there is a considerable amount of information available on
monitoring strategies. For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) organised a conference on the theme ‘Pfiesteria: From Biology to Public Health’
(see Anon., 2001b).
Protocols for monitoring Pfiesteria and related fish health and environmental conditions
in US Coastal Waters (Turgeon et al., 2001) deal specifically with fish kills, but these
would be among the first signs of harmful effects due to the dinoflagellate. The
proceedings of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency workshops to
standardize protocols for monitoring toxic Pfiesteria species and associated
environmental conditions were reported by Luttenberg et al. (2001). A brief summary of
monitoring for Pfiesteria-like organisms in coastal waters is given in Anderson et al.
(2001).
As regards public information, a good is example the State of Maryland Department of
Natural Resources website, which has a page entitled ‘What you should know about
Pfiesteria’ - http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/cblife/algae/dino/pfiesteria/facts.html ,
which provides very comprehensive information. It includes this advice:
Is it safe to swim and boat in coastal waters?
• Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities in coastal waters are
generally safe. To be on the safe side, the following common-sense
precautions are recommended:
• Comply with state closures of water bodies and public health advisories. Do
not go into or near the water in areas that are closed by the state.
• If you notice significant numbers of fish that are dead or that exhibit lesions
or other signs of disease, avoid contact with the fish and water, and
promptly report the incident to your state's environment or natural resource
agency.
3.6 Chrysochromulina polylepis
The toxic haptophyte C. polylepis is found in the waters around Norway, Sweden and
Denmark, and also in the Irish Sea. It first attracted attention following a massive bloom
in Norway in 1988, which resulted in extensive mortalities to fish, invertebrates and
other aquatic organisms (Landsberg, 2002; Smayda, 2006). Its toxic properties have
been reviewed by Landsberg (2002). It produces haemolysins, which have been
identified as mono-galactosyl diacylglycerol and octadecapentaenoic acid (18:5n-3).
The Chrysochromulina polylepis toxin appears to interfere with cell membrane
functions and ionic balance (Underdal et al., 1989; Meldahl et al., 1993 cited in
Landsberg, 2002). Because of this nonspecific effect C. polylepis affects a wide range
of aquatic organisms from protists to fish (Edvardsen and Paasche, 1998, cited in
Landsberg, 2002). On the basis of evidence of toxic compounds extracted from
mussels affected by a bloom of C. polylepis it has been suggested that the alga may
produce a group of ichthyotoxins similar to those of Prymnesium parvum (Stabell et al.,
1993).
20 A Literature review of the potential health effects of marine microalgae and macroalgae