With this year’s red tide outbreak predicted to be worse than 2005’s historic levels, shellfish consumers should be reassured that the state’s testing system keeps tainted mussels and clams off the market. Harvesters, especially those who gather a few shellfish for a family meal, should consult the Department of Marine Resources Web site to see if they are in a closed area. If they are, no shellfish there are safe to eat.

The algae known as red tide grow in large blooms about 30 to 60 miles off the coast of New England. If there are a lot of nutrients in the area, the bloom is likely to be large. Strong currents are needed to carry the algae, which are toxic to humans, closer to shore where they are ingested by clams, mussels, oysters and other shellfish.

The bloom in 2005 was not especially large but a succession of four storms with winds from the northeast carried the tide close to shore from Maine to southern Massachusetts. As a result of the worst outbreak in 30 years, large areas of the coast were put off-limits to harvesting and the U.S. Department of Commerce declared an economic disaster.

Maine used some of the federal money it received as a result of the disaster declaration to improve its testing and monitoring so that closures could be more targeted. Before harvesters complained that large portions of the state?s coastline were off-limits when red tide was not present in all areas.

More pinpointed closures allow harvesters to continue their work in safe areas. But they can cause confusion for those who only occasionally gather shellfish.

Since the toxin in red tide can be fatal, checking to see if an area is closed is a simple and worthwhile step. The Department of Marine Resources maintains up-to-date maps of closed areas. Go to www.maine.gov/dmr and click on ?Red Tide Shellfish Closures.? If you don?t know if an area is closed, don?t gather shellfish there. Three people were sickened last weekend by mussels they took off ropes in a closed area in Cutler. Last year, a lobsterman and his family were sickened by mussels he took from a floating barrel near Jonesport.

Consumers should not be concerned about shellfish sold in stores and restaurants. All Maine shellfish destined for commercial markets are tested before they can be sold.

Sen. Olympia Snowe recently introduced legislation to increase federal funding for research on red tide and other algal blooms.

Red tide is a serious problem for the state?s commercial shellfish harvesters who can lose thousands of dollars when areas are put off-limits. Those who enjoy a plate of fried clams at the local restaurant have nothing to worry about and casual harvesters can protect themselves by avoiding all closed areas.