Red Tide Close to Home

Pollution has become a big problem in our waters: it creates closures of recreational areas that we use. Not only is pollution a problem but Red Tide as well.
Red Tide in New England:
"There are millions of microscopic plants (phytoplankton) that exist in almost every drop of coastal seawater. With the right conditions, (sunlight and proper nutrients), these plants photosynthesize and multiply, creating a "bloom." The organism that causes toxic red tide, or HAB, in New England is a microscopic one-celled alga called Alexandrium tamarense. Its life cycle includes a dormant cyst stage that can survive cold winters in bottom sediments. The cysts, which also contain toxin, are the seeds for future blooms. These cysts facilitate the spread of toxic red tides into new areas since they are easily transported by tidal currents, dredge material disposal, and transplanted shellfish."

On June 8, 2009 there was a "Notice of Emergency Rule-Making" by the Department of Marine Resources for Red Tide in the Sheepscot River, which includes Westport Island, Edgecomb, Boothbay, and Boothbay Harbor.
"Effective immediately, because of pollution, it shall be unlawful to dig, take or possess any clams, quahogs, oysters or mussels taken from the shores, flats and waters..."
This closure affects many people in the Boothbay Region. Diggers are affected because they don't "have" a job for the summer and the businesses that buy from those diggers have to go elsewhere to get clams or mussels. That in turn raises the prices of seafood in our region because we have to out source to get what we want.



Sources:
http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/redtide.html
http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/public_health/closures/closedarea.htm

Catching and Releasing Tips

Catching and Releasing Tips
From the Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife

1. Time is of the essence. Play and release the fish as quickly and carefully as possible. An exhausted fish may be too weak to recover.

2. Keep the fish in the water as much as you can. A fish out of water is suffocating, and may injure itself on rocks, etc. Try to keep the fish out of water no more than 15 seconds.

3. Be gentle. Wet your hands before handling any live fish. Keep your fingers away from the gills. Don't squeeze the fish. Small fish may be held gently around the middle; let them swim away once they've recovered. Larger fish may be held securely by the tail and bottom jaw. If a net is used, make sure it is fine-meshed to avoid injuries to the gills or eyes.

4. Remove the hook with small pliers or a similar type tool - If the hook is deeply embedded or in a sensitive area such as the gills or stomach, cut the leader close to the snout. Make an effort to use regular steel (bronzed) hooks to promote early disintegration. Do not use stainless or gold-plated hooks.

5. To revive a fish once it is back in the water, hold it in a swimming position in the water and move it gently back and forth until it is able to swim away.

Background to Maine's Fishing Industry

Fishing in most cases is now considered a past time, but for some it is still a way of life. In the 1850's Maine had over 10,000 vessel fishermen, around then fishing was sometimes the only option to make money. Fishing was the staple industry of not only Maine's but the nation's economy before the civil war. Today there an estimated 26,000 jobs in the fishing industry that rakes in about 860 million dollars for the state of Maine. There are 7,000 miles of coastline available but only 25 miles are used as "working waterfronts." Maine has a reputation for having the best saltwater sport fisheries on the east coast; top notch captains and guides.