“The 2005 red tide event was the most severe that Maine has seen in 30 years. The lengthy closures in some parts of the coast truly constituted a fisheries disaster, and I appreciate the work done by Maine’s Congressional delegation in securing this funding to assist impacted individuals” said Commissioner George Lapointe. Funds will be dispersed to shellfish harvesters, aquaculturists and primary buyers (dealers) impacted by the event. Public meetings were held in Whiting, Portland and Ellsworth in August 2006 to inform stakeholders of DMR’s proposed plan and to solicit their input. Comments received at these meetings resulted in an increase in the amount of funding allocated as direct industry aid. The first round of applications will be sent by the Department of Marine Resources in mid-November to those who held a 2005 Maine Commercial Shellfish Harvesting License. Compensation will be based on the number of days shellfish harvesting in the town in which applicants held a 2005 license was closed. These applications must be postmarked by December 12 to be eligible. Applications for mussel harvesters (hand and drag), quahog harvesters, primary buyers (dealers), and aquaculture lease holders for affected species are currently in development, and will be mailed out shortly. Compensation will be determined once applications from all sectors have been received. DMR is targeting January 31, 2007 as the deadline for mailing relief checks to all eligible applicants. Remaining funds will finance two programs to reduce the economic impact of future red tide events. The first program will investigate the feasibility of making PSP-affected shellfish safe for human consumption through depuration. The second program will implement fine-scale monitoring for PSP toxins in four Maine Bays. This monitoring will be based on a highly successful program that took place in Casco Bay in 2006. The Casco Bay Program resulted in more than 11,000 acres of clam flats staying open that would otherwise have been closed during the 2006 red tide season. At the Portland public meeting, harvesters expressed great support for the program, and requested that it be continued. Red Tide Disaster Relief Funds will allow the continuation of the Casco Bay program as well as an expansion of the program to include three other bays within Maine. “The Department has worked diligently to ensure that those valued harvesters and buyers who suffered losses in 2005 receive compensation,” said Governor Baldacci. “Importantly, the federal funds will also support programs that will improve how we detect and respond to Red Tide in the future. I thank our harvesters, whose input was crucial in developing this plan.” DMR is committed to using these funds to maximize benefits to Maine’s shellfish harvesters, aquaculturists and primary dealers. Questions concerning this program may be addressed to Togue Brawn, Maine Department of Marine Resources, at (207) 624-6591 or togue.brawn@ maine.gov. |
