Senator Snowe, the Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard, said:

“While we have made great strides in bloom prediction and monitoring, it is clear these problems are continuing to increase in magnitude and demand our ongoing commitment and attention. I am grateful this vital legislation received the support of the Commerce Committee, and will now proceed to the full Senate for consideration.  The provisions contained in this vital legislation will enhance our nation’s ability to predict, monitor, and ultimately control harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. Maine’s shellfish industry has experienced severe economic losses due to red tide over the years.  In 2009, the resulting closure of 97% of the state’s shellfish beds and 100% of the offshore beds in federal waters for several months during the peak harvesting season proves that we in Congress must do all we can to provide the necessary resources to ensure our hardworking harvesters are able to safely access this important fishery.”

Blooms of Alexandrium algae, more commonly known as “red tide,” can cause shellfish to accumulate toxins that when consumed by humans lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), a potentially fatal neurological disorder.  Therefore, when levels of Alexandrium reach dangerous levels, fishery managers are forced to close shellfish beds that provide hundreds of jobs and add millions of dollars to the regional economy.  Red tide outbreaks – which occur in various forms not just in the northeast, but along thousands of miles of U.S. coastline – have increased dramatically in the Gulf of Maine in the last 20 years, with major blooms occurring almost every year.

Read the complete press release from Senator Snowe