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Red tide disaster declared in six Bay State counties

By DAVID KIBBE, Standard-Times staff writer

BOSTON -- U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez yesterday declared a disaster in six Massachusetts counties where shellfishermen have been clobbered by the state's worst red tide outbreak in three decades.

The disaster declaration includes the Cape and Islands, Plymouth and Bristol counties and the North Shore.

The designation means the state qualifies for millions of dollars in federal aid, which could range from cash payments to shellfishermen to research grants to prevent and contain future red tide outbreaks.

The exact nature of the aid won't be known until money is appropriated by Congress to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

In a request for a disaster declaration earlier last week, the Massachusetts congressional delegation said the red tide bloom was costing the state's shellfishing industry $2.7 million per week. State officials said the economic impact could total $30 million before the algae bloom subsides sometime in July.

"It is unknown exactly how long this fishery resource disaster will continue, or what the longer-term social and economic effects will be for the fishing communities dependent on the resources of these fisheries," Gutierrez wrote in a letter to Gov. Mitt Romney. "We realize, however, these effects have already begun in the state fishery and will increase with the disaster's duration."

Gutierrez declared the commercial fishing failure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. It includes both state and federal waters.

"I commend Secretary Gutierrez for moving swiftly in recognizing the severe economic impact of this unprecedented red tide bloom," Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said in a statement. "It is imperative for the federal government to do everything it can to help our fishing families during this difficult time."

Kennedy, Romney and Sen. John F. Kerry all spoke personally with Gutierrez. "Today, the U.S. Commerce Department did the right thing and declared a fishery disaster in Massachusetts to help shellfishermen in crisis," Kerry said in a statement. "We need to act quickly to get economic relief to families and communities as soon as possible."

The Alexandrium algae bloom produces a toxin that makes it dangerous, even deadly, for people to consume clams, oysters and mussels from the affected waters. Eventually, the shellfish purge the toxin.

Lobsters, crabs, shrimp and cleaned muscle meat from sea scallops are not affected by the toxin and are safe to eat. It is also safe to swim.

The shellfishing industry and state officials are concerned that a red tide outbreak could occur again next spring.

When the algae no longer has optimal conditions, it sinks to the ocean floor in armored cysts, which could be released again the following spring. Romney said the state would use the disaster declaration to pursue NOAA grants to study red tide outbreaks, possibly through UMass Dartmouth and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth.

"When these conditions present themselves again, it will cause another large red tide, so we're going to have this problem for a while," Romney said earlier this week.

Once Congress appropriates money to NOAA, the state must prepare a grant request. The state then distributes the money that is awarded to Massachusetts. Kennedy's office said that would mean direct cash payments to fishermen, rather than loans.

"I am very pleased that the secretary has decided to accept our request and to declare a fishing disaster," Romney said. "Now, we will be working with our delegation in Washington to secure the necessary funding from Congress."

It is the second federal disaster declaration this week in the red tide outbreak, which has shut down shellfish beds from Maine to Martha's Vineyard.

Buzzards Bay has been spared, except for a small outbreak near the Cape Cod Canal.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Small Business Administration declared an economic disaster in 11 Massachusetts and New Hampshire counties, making fishermen and related industries eligible for low-interest loans to meet expenses such as payroll.

Massachusetts officials are still waiting for a decision on the most important area of federal aid, a request for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

A FEMA disaster declaration, which must be approved by President Bush, would make the shellfishing industry eligible for unemployment benefits.