Toxic dinoflagellates and tidal power generation in the Bay of Fundy,Canada

The incidence of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning along the eastern seaboard of America has increased and spread during the last decade. One of the core areas for Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), a poison that is derived from toxic dinoflagellates, is centred on the Bay of Fundy. It is in the upper reaches of the Bay of Fundy that a proposal has been made to construct a tidal power generation plant; this project would have a considerable effect on the water circulation, tidal regime and sedimentation characteristics of the Bay of Fundy and Gulf of Maine. Alterations such as these to the hydrography of this area may lead to changes in the occurrence of toxic dinoflagellates and the associated patterns and intensity of PSP.