BOSTON (AP) – Many Massachusetts shellfish beds closed by an outbreak of “red tide” toxic algae may be safe to reopen by late next week as the bloom continues to break up, a Massachusetts state biologist said Saturday.

The news may also “bode well for Maine,” according to a spokesman for the Maine Governor John Baldacci’s office.

Michael Hickey, Massachusetts’ chief shellfish biologist, said new tests show the toxic algae bloom is disappearing faster than expected in the waters off Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Many of the shellfishing beds in those areas could reopen next Friday, but it could take at least two more weeks before the state reopens beds near the North Shore, where toxin levels are higher, Hickey said.

“The levels of toxin are falling quite dramatically,” he said. “It’s a real good sign.”

Earlier this week, Hickey said it could take four to five weeks before any beds could reopen. But the latest batch of test results showed that toxin levels were dropping at a faster rate than anticipated, he said.

Hickey said ocean currents and winds are pushing the bloom offshore, where it’s breaking up. Meanwhile, in Cape Cod Bay, the toxin levels are falling amid rising water temperatures and dropping levels of nutrients, which the bloom feeds on.

“This bloom broke up a lot quicker than anybody thought,” he said.

Hickey said the state Division of Marine Fisheries probably won’t announce a decision on reopening shellfish beds before Thursday.

In Maine, Lynn Kippax, spokesman for the governor’s office, said biology officials continue to monitor Maine waters with “great diligence.” He believes the Massachusetts’ findings could also mean future good news for Maine clam flats.

Red tide contaminates shellfish, including clams and mussels, and makes them unsafe for people and animals to eat. The outbreak is the region’s worst since 1972 and is costing the New England shellfishing industry an estimated $3 million a week. Governors in Massachusetts and Maine have declared economic emergencies for the industry.

Restaurants and markets are paying steep prices for shellfish from uncontaminated waters and they are passing along the increase to customers.

Herman Fortin, owner and manager of Lena’s Seafood in Salisbury, said he’s paying around $100 a gallon for clams that usually cost him no more than $85 a gallon.

“Sales have been down,” Fortin told The Eagle-Tribune of Lawrence. “People have been asking if the clams are good. Luckily, I’ve had some loyal customers.”