@article {455,
	title = {Harmful algae in Canadian waters and management strategies},
	journal = {Ocean Research [Ocean Res.]. Vol. 19},
	year = {1997},
	note = {ISSN: 1011-2723Language: EnglishSummary Language: EnglishASFA Input Center Number: CS9815173},
	month = {pp. 161-171. Dec},
	pages = {no. 2},
	abstract = {Blooms of Alexandrium spp. and their associated family of saxitoxins known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) are endemic to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of Canada. Filter-feeding shellfish accumulate the toxic algae and, when ingested by humans, the resultant PSP can cause respiratory failure and death. Toxicity records from sentinel species of bivalve shellfish on the Pacific coast have demonstrated spatial, seasonal and yearly variation in toxic bloom events. On the Atlantic coast PSP toxicity occurs mainly in the St. Lawrence estuary, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Bay of Fundy. Periodicity is evident in the latter, but in the estuary and gulf of the St. Lawrence, outbreaks are less regular and less predictable, making them difficult to monitor. Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) from species of Pseudo-nitzschia was identified for the first time ever on the Atlantic coast of Canada in 1987. The causative agent, domoic acid, is an excitatory neurotoxin that can cause memory loss and death. Monitoring ASP toxicity on the Pacific coast has resulted in annual closures of crab and bivalve molluscan fisheries. Species of Dinophysis and Prorocentrum associated with the production of okadaic acid and its analogues known as diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) occur on both coasts. There have been a few sporadic outbreaks of toxicity on the Atlantic, but none recorded from the Pacific coast. Toxic Heterosigma carterae is a major killer of farmed salmon on the Pacific coast, with the causative agent associated with the production of oxygen radicals. Physical obstruction to the gills of farmed salmon from the non-toxic diatoms Chaetoceros convolutus, C. concavicornis, Corethron criophilum, Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira spp. have caused death from excess mucus formation and anoxia. Other species, such as the prymnesiophyte Chrysochromulina polylepis, the diatom Leptocylindrus minimus and the silicoflagellate Dictyocha speculum that have caused similar problems elsewhere have been recorded in low numbers. Dense blooms of other non-toxic algae such as Gonyaulax spinifera have caused death of intertidal bivalve molluscs from smothering and anoxia resulting from the biological oxygen demand of senescent cells. Toxic and harmful algae continue to have adverse socio-economic impact on the traditional and aquaculture fisheries and on fishing communities. Whether the apparent world-wide proliferation of toxic and harmful phytoplankton reflects and increased awareness and scrutiny of bloom events or is the result of environmental stresses from human activities has yet to be confirmed.},
	keywords = {Alexandrium, Algal blooms, canada, Chaetoceros concavicornis, Chaetoceros convolutus, Chrysochromulina polylepis, Coastal, Coasts, Corethron criophilum, costatum, dangerous organisms, Dictyocha speculum, Dinophysis, Environment management, Fish culture, Gonyaulax spinifera, Health and safety, Heterosigma carterae, Leptocylindrus minimus, medicines, Multi-disciplinary Studies, O 1080, Prorocentrum, Public health, Q1 01461 Plankton, Q2 02124 Coastal zone management, Q3 01582 Fish culture, Q5 01524, Red tides, skeletonema, Thalassiosira, Toxicants, zone},
	author = {J.N.C. Whyte and Davis, J. C. and J. R. Forbes}
}
