Harmful Algae and Marine Aquaculture in the Northeastern United States

water quality (e.g. low dissolved oxygen; Brunson et al., 1994), interfering with feeding in bivalves (Aureococcus anophagefferens, Tracey, 1988), mechanical injury (Chaetoceros spp., Bruno et al. 1989) and marketability losses due to off-flavors (Tucker, 2000), or toxicity. Toxic algae result in major losses in aquaculture causing mortality in finfish and shellfish operations as a consequence of: 1) anoxic or hypoxic conditions resulting from algal biomass, 2) mechanical damage to fish gills, and 3) toxins. Toxic algae also pose a threat to aquaculture through human health problems associated with toxin accumulation in seafood. This fact sheet considers toxic algae causing fish and shellfish mortality in saltwater aquaculture systems that may be a concern in the northeastern United States. Freshwater algal concerns in ponds were recently described by Rodgers (2008).