2003 & 2004 Golden Alga Projects
In addition to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grant awarded
to TPWD, research projects were funded through a Texas Legislature authorization
of $600,000 per year for two years (from September 2003 through August
2005) for projects addressing priority needs for the understanding and
management of golden alga in Texas. This money was raised through user-based
fees, specifically the licenses that fishermen pay to fish in Texas. Projects
funded include the following:
Research/Studies Progressing under the State Wildlife Grant number T-14-P:
- Development of a DNA-based Assay & Partial
Genome Analysis of Prymnesium parvum
Dr. John W. La Claire II, University of Texas at Austin - Statewide Survey for Prymnesium
parvum - Progress
Report
Loraine Fries, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Historic Data Assessment of Golden
Alga Fish Kills - Progress
Report
Liz Singhurst and members of the Kills and Spills Team, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Research/Studies Progressing under the Texas Legislatively-authorized funds:
- Concentrated Monitoring of a Prymnesium
parvum Bloom - Progress
Report
David Buzan, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Effects of Barley Straw
and Liquid Live Micro-Organisms on Density and Ichthyotoxicity of Prymnesium parvum in hatchery ponds
Dr. Aaron Barkoh, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Developing a Predictive
Understanding of Prymnesium parvum Toxic Bloom Formation and
its Control - Major Findings
Dr. Richard L. Kiesling (US Geological Survey),
Dr. Bryan W. Brooks (Baylor University),
Dr. James P. Grover (University of Texas at Arlington),
Dr. Daniel L. Roelke (Texas A&M University) - Estimating the Economic
Impacts of Golden Algae (Prymnesium parvum) on Recreational
Fishing at Possum Kingdom Lake
Final Report
(PDF 328 KB)
Dr. Robert B. Ditton, Texas A&M University - Testing and Evaluation
of Clays and Chemical Flocculants for Management of Prymnesium parvum
Blooms in Texas
Final Report(PDF 458.3 KB)
Dr. Donald M. Anderson (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Dr. Mario R. Sengco (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Would you like to know more?
The Biology of Golden Alga summarizes what we know about the alga and its toxins.
Where does golden alga fit compared to other single-celled organisms?
The Golden Alga Family Tree gives examples of and information about golden alga and other protists.
What does golden alga look like?
TPWD Golden Alga Images has photos of fish kills, golden algal cells, and short videos of live golden alga. These images may be used for noncommercial/educational purposes as long as TPWD is given credit and other site policies are followed.
Golden Alga Information Card: TPWD has collaborated with TCEQ and other entities to produce a golden alga information card(pdf document). The purpose of this card is to educate the public on golden alga blooms and answer some common questions. Hard copies of this card are available for free by contacting 512 389-8750.