Red Tide algae has returned to Cape Ann, shutting down virtually the entire shellfish harvesting industry on the eve of the summer season of high demand for soft shell clams.
Dangerous levels of Alexandrium fundyense algae detected in bivalves in the Annisquam River and Essex Bay led the state Division of Marine Fisheries to close all shellfish beds from Gloucester to Ipswich yesterday around 11:30 a.m.
The ban extends to all species of filter-feeding bivalves except scallops. Lobsters and crabs are also not affected.
However, the Massachusetts soft shell clam trade is focused on Gloucester, Essex and Ipswich, the areas of the complete shellfish ban. Last year, there were 123 licensed commercial shellfishermen in Essex and 86 in Gloucester.
In Essex County, the commercial shellfish industry and related businesses are estimated to generate $30 million in economic activity annually.
From Manchester and points south — as well as Newburyport and points north, including Plum Island Sound — the ban extends to only mussels, surf clams and carnivorous snails. For now, soft shell clams and razor clams can still be taken in those areas.
Red Tide closures have become a nearly annual occurrences in New England during the late spring and early summer.
Last year, a closure beginning May 15 lasted until the end of June. In Massachusetts, the 2008 closure was estimated to cost $1.2 million in direct shellfish sales, according to the state. A 2005 outbreak that lasted two months was the most damaging on record.
Red Tide algae contain toxins that build up in shellfish and can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans when consumed in large enough amounts.
The latest Red Tide closure comes weeks after the federal government released $2 million in disaster relief to Massachusetts fishermen to compensate them from last year's outbreak, with $1.2 million of that money being distributed to clammers under a state plan.
The first Red Tide closure in Massachusetts this year was in the Nauset Marsh system on Cape Cod.
Typically, when red tide blooms spread from Cape Cod to Maine, retailers are forced to buy from dealers in Canada, beyond the reach of the algae.
Patrick Anderson can be reached at panderson@gloucestertimes.com
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