AUGUSTA (AP) – The U.S. Department of Commerce has declared a disaster in the Maine shellfish fishery due to the red tide outbreak off the coast, the state’s congressional delegation said Wednesday. The declaration allows Congress to appropriate emergency funds for the shellfishing industry.

, which has been devastated by the toxic algae bloom that has closed clam flats from Down East Maine to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

A similar finding has been made concerning Massachusetts.

Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins and Reps. Tom Allen and Mike Michaud issued a statement commending Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez for making the declaration.

“This years devastating red tide has left many in the shellfish industry unable to work, and every day it persists worsens their plight,” the delegation statement said. “We are pleased that the Commerce Department recognizes the urgency of the situation and have taken the first step toward providing desperately needed relief.”

The delegation statement said assistance available through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for fisheries that are declared “commercial fisheries failures” includes grants to states.

Used could include compensation for lost fishing time and lost equipment, buy-backs of vessels and equipment, job retraining and incentives for economic diversification, the delegation statement said.

Red tide taints shellfish such as clams and mussels, making them unsafe for people and animals to eat, but poses no risk to people who consume fish, lobsters, scallops and shrimp.

The governors of Maine and Massachusetts have declared an economic emergency for their respective shellfish industries, making clam diggers and others eligible for low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration.

AP-ES-06-22-05 1820EDT

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