Red Tide Shuts Shellfish Areas in New England (worst outbreak?)

[DeepModem Mom]

New York Times:
Red Tide Shuts Shellfish Areas in New England
By PAM BELLUCK
Published: June 4, 2005


BOSTON, June 3 - New England waters are being plagued by what may be the worst outbreak of red tide in the region, a Massachusetts official said Friday.

The toxic algae bloom has led state officials to close shellfish beds between Maine and Cape Cod so that people do not eat infected clams, mussels, oysters and scallops.

Scientists and state officials say the outbreak, possibly caused by an unusually cold and wet winter and spring, is worsening and, at minimum, is expected to last several weeks. The chief shellfish biologist in Massachusetts, J. Michael Hickey, said two-thirds of the shellfish beds in the state had been closed, including, late on Friday, all the shellfish flats off Nantucket Island....

***

This species of algae, unlike a variety of red tide that occurs off Florida, does not emit fumes that kill ocean life or prevent people from swimming. Beaches have not closed. And it affects only bivalves, not other seafood like lobsters or shrimp.

If shellfish infected with the New England strain is eaten, the toxin could cause numbness, breathing problems or even death, said Dr. Don Anderson, a senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, who, along with other scientists, has received emergency federal money to help monitor the problem....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/04/national/04tide.html

[KittyWampus]

1. Praying It Doesn't Spread To Long Island Waters This Year. Some Local

baymen are still trying to make a go of it.

This really sucks.

[danalytical]

5. Red tide is nasty.

I remember swimming when red tide would come in to Green Hill beach in Rhode Island when I was a kid. It would get all in your hair and stick to you. That stuff is gross.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Wow. This is far more widespread than any I remember

Unless it spreads to Southeastern Mass (New Bedford) and R.I. scallops will still be available. Steamers (soft shell clams) on the other hand are pretty much out of the picture until the red tide leaves. It's an awful way to start the summer season for the diggers and seafood places. I predict lobster prices will be high because of increased demand and coastal areas may even put whole cracked crabs on the menu for a while.
Local crabs in N. E. are rarely seen in this form in restaurants, only as picked meat, because there are so many other ways to get your seafood fix for a lot less work. Diggers may resort to crabbing because the investment needed is minimal.

[MaineDem]

3. Beds in Maine have been closed for weeks

Our economy isn't in the best of shape on a good day. This hasn't helped.

[0007]

4. Is it affecting Nova Scotia?

[spotbird]

6. What, if anything, does this have to

do with global warming?

[DeepModem Mom]

7. "unusually cold and wet winter and spring" --

If, as some suggest, recent unusual weather patterns are connected to global warming, I would see that issue as involved in this.

[donsu]

8. mercury is in seafood so what's a little red tide?

sarcasm

they are expecting the dead zone in the Gulf of Mex. to be even larger this summer - you want red tide plus who knows what - visit the Gulf of Mex. or Florida Bay