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CHESAPEAKE BAY: ALGAE BELIEVED TO CAUSE FISH LESIONS

Scientists exploring the causes of lesions that haveappeared on fish in Maryland's Pocomoke River (Greenwire, 7/2) this weekend reached a "loose consensus" that the toxic algaePfiesteria piscicida "is at least partly responsible," according to MD Secretary of Natural Resources John Griffin.

North Carolina State U. scientist JoAnne Burkholder, an expert on the microorganism, confirmed finding the algae in water and sediment samples from the Patuxent, Choptank and Wye rivers in Maryland and the York River in Virginia. Burkholder said that since the Chesapeake Bay is deeper and has more flushing action into the ocean, she did not believe the microorganism would cause as much damage as in North Carolina, where the algae has been linked to massive fish kills (Greenwire, 6/9) (Washington Post, 8/4).

However, scientists at a conference at Maryland's Salisbury State U. on 8/3 said other causes for the lesions are possible, recommending that state officials examine the effects of fertilizer and other contaminants that may have washed into the Pocomoke River during last summer's heavy rainfall.

The MD Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene is monitoring fishers for exposure to the microorganism, but officials said they have not established a link between recent respiratory illnesses and the river (Caitlin Francke, Baltimore Sun, 8/4).

Business people who depend on area tourism have said that the stigma of the fish lesions have hurt canoe rentals and other recreational activities along the Pocomoke (Tanya Jones, Baltimore Sun, 8/4).