Neuse River Foundation Mr. Jack Howard, Maryland Watermen's Association Harmful Marine Algal Blooms Are Not Uncommon While the recent outbreak of Pfiesteria piscicida along the eastern seaboard raised public awareness of harmful marine algal blooms, these algal blooms have been appearing in coastal waters for decades. Incidents of red tide, brown tide, PSP, and others have been detected in coastal waters from Florida to Alaska. In addition, lesions similar to those appearing on menhaden off Virginia and North Carolina have been reported since the early 1980's. Whether these lesions were caused by Pfiesteria is unclear. Research on Pfiesteria piscicida began at North Carolina State University in 1988 when the organism was first detected and identified as a distinct dinoflagellate.
Dinoflagellates are primitive single-celled organisms that have two flagella for locomotion.
Most dinoflagellates are considered plants based on their ability to photosynthesize. However, many other dinoflagellates, like Pfiesteria , do not photosynthesize and behave like animals and consume algae. Pfiesteria has been known to exist in more than 20 different life stages and to have several toxic phases. The availability and abundance of its prey determine which form Pfiesteria takes. Pfiesteria feeds on bacteria, algae, micro fauna and fish secretions.