Troubled waters for shellfish farmers in America

[lovuian]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/story.jsp?story=647697

Troubled waters for shellfish farmers in America
The New England coastline is in the grip of the worst outbeak of 'red tide' for more than 30 years. Shellfish farmers fear it could close their businesses for good. David Usborne reports
18 June 2005


"They're pissers," the waitress confided in hushed tones so the other patrons at the restaurant, the venerable Sono Fish Market in South Norwalk, Connecticut, would not hear. "Enjoy."

I was indulging in a ritual of summer, practised with glee up and down the New England coast for generations at this time of year. Before me was a plate piled high with wrinkly seafood in breadcrumbs, tartar sauce on the side which, to me, looked much like calamari. But this is no squid. I am eating soft-shell clams, also known as belly clams or pissers, because of their habit of squirting water in your eye.

The joy of the American clam season is muted this year, however, as much of the north-east coastline, from Maine down to the tip of Cape Cod, battles with the worst outbreak of the so-called "red tide" seen in more than thirty years. It is an ecological calamity that has forced the closure of most of the region's shellfish beds, both near the shoreline and out to sea by as much as 100 miles. It has already led Massachusetts and Maine to declare states of emergency in hopes of attracting federal aid.

"Red tide" is so called because of the rusty hue that ocean waters take on when concentrations of algae rise too far. But the problem is not an aesthetic one. The algae contains toxins that gather in shellfish which feed by filtering gallons of seawater for plankton and other nutrients. If eaten by humans, they could cause serious sickness and, in some cases, death.
more...

And they say Global warming doesn't exist!!!

[SouthernDem2004]

1. Hmmm, Global warming?

"worst outbreak of 'red tide' for more than 30 years" (corrected for spelling)

What about 30 years ago?

[donsu]

3. so, you don't believe in global warming? are you anti-science?

NT

[Massacure]

4. More often then not algae blooms have to do with fertilizer run-off.

Global warming doesn't necessarily have to do a thing with algae.

[donsu]

6. and the higher then normal temp. of the water has nothing to do with it?

nt

[Massacure]

8. I wouldn't say nothing.

Nutrients and energy are both needed in specific amounts to grow a certain amount of algae. You need both, not one or the other. Large algae blooms have happened in the past though, so it is more probable that there is already enough energy and that nutrients are the bigger factor.

[fishnfla]

9. Um, red tide normally needs cooler water

Which is clearly mentioned in the article.Global warming is no doubt a problem, but not the cause of red tides.

Please stick to the facts, we are not the MSM

[donsu]

12. the red tide in the Gulf of Mex., Florida Bay churn on hotter water

nt

[Gormy Cuss]

13. There are different algae responsible

The North Atlantic red tide is caused by Alexandrium, the Gulf Coast blooms are linked to a Karonia.
The North Atlantic red tides don't have bronchial complications the way the Gulf red tides do.

[dArKeR]

2. Maybe we shouldn't be killing and eating the poor little inhabitants of

God's Earth?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

11. We're EATING Iraqis now? n/t

[MaineDem]

5. Even where the clams are clean the diggers are hurting

Some clam beds in Maine have no red tide. Those diggers can't sell their clams for any money at all. This is an economic disaster in the making and Maine can little afford it with the poor economic climate we're facing now.

[pie]

14. I have very fond memories of New England's clam shacks

Can't imagine what the clammers are going thru

[Rainscents]

7. Global warning? What's that???

:sarcasm:

[fishnfla]

10. A problem that has nothing to do with red tides

again, the bloom requires cooler water, as is clearly mentioned in the article