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NOAA Fisheries Service Red Tide Advisories

Highlights
 


Effective December 31, 2009, Through December 31, 2010, NOAA Fisheries extends the emergency action to address Red Tide. The northern component of the Temporary PSP Closure Area prohibits the harvest of Atlantic surfclams, ocean quahogs, and whole or roe-on scallops. The southern component of the Temporary PSP Closure Area remains closed only to the harvest of whole or roe-on scallops.

On January 21 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submitted a request to the NOAA Fisheries Service to reopen a portion of the Georges Bank Closed Area, known as Cultivator Shoal. The FDA has concluded that recent testing of clams collected from this area has demonstrated that Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxin levels are well below the regulatory limit established for public health safety. As a result, FDA has determined that harvesting of surf clams and ocean quahog clams for human consumption is once again safe in area defined in the attached letter. NOAA is currently reviewing the information provided by FDA and, if NOAA determines that reopening the area may be warranted, will publish a proposed rule seeking public comment on the reopening. Please monitor this website for updates on this potential action. Until NOAA takes final action and publishes a final rule implementing a reopening of the area, this area remains closed.  Click here for more information

NOAA image of warning sign posted in areas where shellfish have been contaminated by a red tide
Warning sign posted in areas where shellfish have been contaminated by a red tide. (credit NOAA)

Past Red Tide Closure Notices

red tide
Red Tide (credit NOAA)
  • Click Here for FAQs on Red Tide/Commercial Fishery Failure
  • Click Here for Information About Pilot-PSP Dockside Monitoring Study
  • NOAA Fisheries Service Takes Emergency Action to Address Red Tide - On June 14, 2005, NOAA Fisheries Service issued an emergency action to close a portion of Federal waters off the coasts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts to the harvest of all species of shellfish (bivalves), with the exception of scallop meats, due to the spread of toxic algal blooms (red tide). This is the largest bloom on record in New England history warranting a public health emergency (Click here for more information).

Relevant Websites:
     

Last Updated: February 9, 2010

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