State asks for input on 2005 red tide Meetings to discuss disbursal of federal aid

Maine’s harvesters of shellfish – clams, mussels and quahogs – and others whose incomes were interrupted last year by the extended red tide closures from Down East to Kittery will have chances to speak their minds this month at a series of meetings organized by the Maine Department of Marine Resources.

Congress has allotted Maine $2 million to address the effect of the 2005 red tide. Another $2 million, also through the National Marine Fisheries Service, is being provided to Massachusetts.

The DMR has presented the federal agency with a preliminary proposal on disbursing the $2 million within Maine and now is holding meetings to get the public’s feedback.

The meetings will take place in:

. Whiting, 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, at the town office.

. Portland, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 8, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay.

. Ellsworth, 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10., at the City Hall auditorium.

“These meetings are simply for the purpose of sharing information and are not a part of the application process” for disbursement of relief funds, said the department’s Darcie Couture, director of biotoxin monitoring.

“After these meetings, the proposal will be amended and the application process will begin.”

The proposal that DMR has submitted so far sets out $750,000 for its direct use to improve red tide research and testing methods, along with $1.25 million to go to affected groups, including harvesters, dealers and aquaculturists.

“We need to design a system that takes into account the needs of each of these groups,” Couture said Monday.

On July 25, in response to the DMR’s proposed division of funds, the Maine Seafood Alliance issued its position statement with respect to the relief distribution. The new organization – an industry group formed after last summer’s red tide event – would like the entire $2 million to go to the harvesters of wild shellfish.

“MSA will maintain its position of strong support for the harvesters who work in the shellfish industry, while constantly pursuing new and better ways of management and monitoring of our industry to ensure that such disasters are minimized in the future,” the alliance indicated.

Those with questions about the DMR meetings can contact Deirdre Gilbert at 624-6576. Those with questions about the Maine Seafood Alliance can contact Gary Edwards at 546-2368.