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Thursday, May 18, 2006
Runoff, red tide threaten shellfish
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BOSTON — The worst shellfishing season in decades may have a sequel this summer, thanks to recent record rains coupled with wind and water conditions similar to what fed last year's ruinous red tide. Early this week, rainwater runoff forced the state to shut down shellfish beds from the New Hampshire border to Cape Cod and Buzzards Bay. At the same time, the state enacted a red tide closure of shellfish beds from the New Hampshire border to Deer Island in Boston Harbor. Scientists said Wednesday the recent weather has created conditions similar to what allowed last year's red tide to spread. "Whether it's going to be . . . as big and lasting as last year, there's no way to tell," said Michael Hickey, the state's chief shellfish biologist. The toxic algae cells are absorbed by shellfish, making them hazardous and even deadly to eat. The 2005 red tide bloom closed the state's shellfish beds for months during the peak spring and summer season and caused $50 million in losses to tourism and fishing industries. The rain has caused similar problems in Maine, where flooding has forced the closure of clam flats from Cape Small in Phippsburg to the New Hampshire border. Shellfish beds in New Hampshire are closed. "This could be a pollution problem for several weeks," said Darcie Couture, director of biotoxin monitoring for the Department of Marine Resources. This month's rains created runoff from flooded rivers, roads and overwhelmed sewer systems that carry waste and bacteria, which pollute shellfish beds, Hickey said.
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