• Font Size    
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Red Tide Shuts Down Boston Harbor Shellfish Beds

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +    Comments
Jun 13, 2008 8:02 am US/Eastern

Red Tide Shuts Down Boston Harbor Shellfish Beds

BOSTON (AP) ― Public health officials have closed shellfish beds in Boston Harbor for the first time in 36 years in response to a spreading red tide along the Massachusetts coast.
 
The ban on shellfish harvesting now extends from the New Hampshire border to the Bourne-Sandwich town line, with the exception of a small area along Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury.
 
Officials say about 50 fishermen harvest an average 15,000 to 20,000 bushels of clams annually in Boston Harbor.

Red tide is a toxic algae that concentrates in shellfish, making them dangerous for humans to eat. Crabs, lobsters and shrimp are not affected.

Michael Hickey, chief biologist for the state's shellfish sanitation management program, says although the livelihoods of some fishermen will be affected, the agency's top concern is public health.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Add Comment

here. here. Need a log in? Register here
  •  * Will not be displayed with comment
  •  * e.g. (http://www.mywebsite.com)
  •  
  • Click here to refresh with new letters

Show Comments (0)

Close Window Login


Close Window Flag Comment


loading...

© MMIX, CBS Corporation. All rights reserved.