House Passes Michaud Backed Bill to Address Red Tide

About 3,000 Maine harvesters and dealers depend on access to healthy shellfish beds

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Mike Michaud praised House passage of H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act, which would provide a research framework and action plan for addressing red tide. The bill builds upon a research framework by calling for the development and coordination of a comprehensive national strategy and regional action plans to reduce the size and occurrence of harmful red tides. Michaud is a cosponsor of the bill, which is strongly supported by the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Governor Baldacci, the shellfish industry and coastal communities.

"Red tides can have a devastating economic impact on communities up and down Maine's coast. The shellfish industry in Maine experienced a severe economic crisis last year as a result of the closure of 97 percent of the state's shellfish beds," said Michaud. "These closures were due to a substantial outbreak of a harmful algal bloom known as red tide. The passage of this bill represents an important step forward in addressing this issue."

Red tide outbreaks have impacted Maine's shellfish industry 3 out of the past 5 years. The shellfish industry is vital to Maine's economy. Approximately 3,000 harvesters and dealers depend on access to healthy shellfish beds to make their living and support their families. Maine's Department of Marine Resources estimates that the total annual economic value for the shellfish industry in Maine is $50 million.

Press Release by Ed Gilman

Ed.Gilman@mail.house.gov