An Action Plan for Improvement. The Charter of the National Dredging Team commits participating Federal agencies to communication, coordination, and timely resolution of dredging issues and implementation of the recommendation s of the report. Pfiesteria piscicida is a toxic micro-organism that has been linked to fish lesions and fish kills in coastal waters of the southeast and Gulf Coasts, particulary Maryland and North Carolina. Outbreaks of toxic Pfiesteria have been associated with excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in addition to other factors, such as temperature, acidity, sal inity, and fish abundance. There is also increasing evidence that Pfiesteria may pose a human health risk when it is in its toxic form.
Health risks appear to be associated with contact with the water when the toxin is present.
There have been no r eports of health impacts from eating fish, however people are being advised not to eat fish with lesions or that appear unhealthy as a precaution. Based on water quality information submitted by States, Tribes, and Territories, including information on lakes, this document characterizes our water quality, identifies widespread water quality problems, and describes var ious programs implemented to resore and protect our waters. Tips on how you can help protect your coastal watershed.