Maine and Massachusetts will each be eligible for up to $2 million in disaster aid for shellfishing industries affected red tide closures this year, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service. New Hampshire will be eligible for up to $1 million.

The states will now submit plans to the fisheries service outlining how the funds will be used.
 
Red tide, a toxic algal bloom that can make shellfish dangerous to eat, caused bans on the haversting of clams, mussels, oysters and other shellfish starting in May. Some areas remain closed. A similar outbreak in 2005 led the Department of Commerce to determine a commercial fishery failure.

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