Brown Tide Comprehensive Assessment and Management Program

Abstract

The summer of 1987 marked the third year that marine waters of Suffolk County, New York, were impacted by a massive algal bloom called the “brown tide” caused by the organism identified as Aureococcus anophagefferens (Sieburth et al., 1988). During the previous two summers, the brown tide had occurred in several embayments of eastern Long Island? the Peconic Bays system, Shinnecock Bay, Moriches Bay and Great South Bay (Fig. 1). Brown tide was believed responsible for the decimation of the bay scallops (Argopectin irradians) population in the Peconic Bays system (Bricelj et al., 1987). The collapse of the scallop harvest reduced the annual dockside value of scallops from an early 1980’s peak of almost $2 million to $27,000 in 1986 (NYSDEC, 1986). Monitoring data (SCDHS, 1986) indicate the dense bloom conditions in the Peconic System also had reduced light penetration through the water column. This shading was reported by Dennison (1988) as resulting in the significant loss of potential eelgrass (Zostera marina) habitat. Another concern was the possible adverse impact on recreational uses of the affected bays due to the unsightly conditions of the water rendered by the brown tide.