Coastal Bays

Dinophysis Study in Coastal Bays 

During 2012-2016 the department increased monitoring for the potentially harmful algae Dinophysis because routing monitoring showed blooms levels in the Maryland Coastal Bays. Dinophysis sp. are know to produce okadaid acid and other toxins responsible for diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP).

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning is an emerging concern in the United States and Maryland. Monitoring has shown that the organisim is producing toxins in Maryland. 

Dinophysis sp in St.  Martin's River

The only occurrences of levels in shellfish above the Food and Drug Administration threshold were in the St. Martin River, an area closed for shellfish harvest.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of the Environment continue to monitor and assess shellfish in the bays to protect human health. 

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