Donald M. AndersonPurpose This website is intended to provide background information as well as current observations and commentary on the status of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) outbreaks in the northeast United States. The content is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be used to guide recreational or commercial decisions regarding the harvesting of shellfish or other fisheries products within the region. History of PSP in New England Prior to 1972, PSP toxicity was historically restricted to the far eastern sections of Maine near the Canadian border, with the first documented PSP in Maine in 1958. In 1972, a massive, visible red tide of Alexandrium fundyense stretched from southern Maine through New Hampshire and into Massachusetts, causing toxicity in southern areas for the first time. Virtually every year since the 1972 outbreak, western Maine has experienced PSP outbreaks, and on a less-frequent basis, New Hampshire and Massachusetts have as well. This pattern has been viewed as a direct result of Alexandrium cysts being retained in western Gulf of Maine waters once introduced there by the 1972 bloom. Between 1994 and 2004 there was virtually no toxicity in Massachusetts Bay (see figure). Significant regional-scale Alexandrium fundyense blooms occurred in both 2005 and 2006. The 2005 event was longer, extended further to the south and had higher cell concentrations and shellfish toxicities. In 2007, toxicity was restricted to sections of Eastern and Western Maine. A large, offshore bloom was documented on Georges Bank as well. In 2008, a significant regional-scale Alexandrium fundyense bloom occurred . Toxicity was particularly high in eastern Maine but also extended south to Massachusetts Bay and parts of Cape Cod. An offshore bloom of the species was also detected on Georges Bank. It is noteworthy that this bloom was predicted several months in advance based on the abundance of A. fundyense cysts in Gulf of Maine sediments (see press release).Details on these bloom events are provided in separate sections, accessed through the navigation buttons to the left. Current Status This section will be updated in 2009 as toxicity and field observations of Alexandrium are obtained. To view the April 22, 2009 news release regarding the 2009 forecast, please click here. Last updated: April 22, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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