BANGOR (AP) – State officials have closed Cobscook Bay and parts of the Down East coast to mussel harvesting due to red tide.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources announced the curbs Tuesday, citing a large plume of toxic algae that blew in from the Bay of Fundy.

The closure extends from Point of Maine near Machiasport to the Canadian border and includes all of Cobscook Bay.

It prohibits collection of mussels, European oysters and carnivorous snails.

While clam harvesting was still being permitted, biologists cautioned that some clam beds within the area could close this week due to the intensity of the red tide bloom.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-06-18-08 0646EDT