Pfiesteria is only a problem in estuaries because of the mixing of fresh water and salt water. This is only occurring between the months of April and October. Pfiesteria can have similar effects on humans that happen to fish. Pfiesteria effects fin fish, shellfish and schooling fish. Schooling fish are what triggers the change from a dinoflagellate to the toxic form.
Fish kills can effect the fishing industry.
Fish being affected make people scared to buy and consume seafood. It can also effect recreation when an area has to be closed down due to a pfisteria outbreak. There are obvious effects on the food chain such as a smaller food supply for consumers of the fish that are being killed. Many government agencies are involved in the problem such as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many others. Many of these industries are contributing to the cause by funding research that is being done.