Downeast Economy hit by Red Tide

On 2 July, 2009, the Maine Department of Marine Resources closed all of Cobscook Bay and many other coastal areas to the harvesting of mahogany clams due to the extremely high levels of red tide. With additional areas already closed, this is a major hit to this economically depressed area. As detailed in the 4 July 2009 Bangor Daily News story on this event, many companies like the Beal’s Lobster Co. have much of their workforce sitting idle while the harvesting ban is in effect.

There does not currently seem to be an end in sight for this large bloom of red tide algae which also threatens the Penobscot Bay harvesting area with closure. Red tide algae is a naturally occurring event off the coast of Maine. When the levels of red tide become extremely high, shellfish can accumulate toxic levels red tide. Humans that consume shellfish with high red tide content can get an illness known as paralytic shellfish poisoning. Red tide does not harm the consumers of lobster and crabs unless they consume the tomalley or liver.

In addition to the closures due to red tide, the high levels of rainfall in Maine this summer are causing additional shellfish areas to close. When rainfall levels reach 2 inches and above, the areas must be closed due to the high levels of runoff into the area. This has led to lost days for diggers in many areas of the state. With the state budget issues, it seems very unlikely that the people of this area can expect much in the way of additional aid for this season.