By: Amanda Stewart Katie Buckner Katie Kennedy Maggie Walters Pfiesteria By: Amanda Stewart Katie Buckner Katie Kennedy Maggie Walters

Description of Problem Pfiesteria, a toxic dynoflagellate, is causing fish kills and lesions, and is also harmful to humans.

Fish Fish aren’t killed by infection of Pfiesteria but by the toxins it releases. Lesion- any sore, wound or area of disease tissue. Fish Kill- When more than a few dozen fish die over a short period of time (hrs or days)

Humans Alter Personalities Confusion Cognitive Impairment (serious difficulty being able to read, remember one’s name, dial a phone number, or do simple arithmetic) Short Term Memory Loss Neurological Disorder Itches Sores Skin Burns Memory Lapses

Background and History Discovered by JoAnn Burkholder in 1988. Three other Pfiesteria-like organisms. Dr. Burkholder has suffered effects of Pfiesteria. Full name - Pfiesteria Piscicida (named for Dr. Lois Pfiester)

Life Cycle Pfiesteria has 24 stages of life. Each stage is effected by the presence or removal of fish. Form transformation trigger by fish secretion Reproduces while eating Normally exists in a non-toxic form

Causes Excess nutrients coming from… Chicken and Hog Farms Fish excrements Animal wastes contains phosphorus & nitrogen Watershed Runoff

Location Mostly found off of the east coast in… Estuaries and coastal rivers

Related problems Fish Industry: Water Quality: Bad Fish Recreation Swimming Area Recreation and tourism Pollution Fish Industry: Bad Fish (Less than 1% effected) Income $

What can we Do? Stricter Laws for Hog Farms Regulate the amount of hogs Help prevent runoff require waste to be treated Stricter restrictions on companies that produce waste Don’t allow dumping near water Control how waste is disposed of control use of phosphorus and animal waste in fertilizer

PROTECT the Clean Water Act

So your water..... Can be protected

People and Organizations NCDENR NOAA ECOHAB EPA People JoAnn Burkholder Ed Noga Howard Glasgow Dr. Levin