With Dennis McGillicuddy, Sr. Scientist, Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering Department
Each year, coastal waters of the Gulf of Maine are prone to blooms of the harmful algae, Alexandrium fundyense. The algae pose no direct threat to human beings, however the toxins they produce can accumulate in filter-feeding organisms such as mussels and clams — which can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans who consume them. To insure the shellfish we consume is safe, harvesting areas are carefully monitored by state agencies. Learn more about the work scientists have done to develop a forecasting system to help the shellfish industry and environmental managers better plan for the annual bloom.
