By Conor Berry
The state's congressional delegation has issued an S.O.S. to the chief of the federal Small Business Administration, requesting an SBA briefing in Massachusetts to discuss relief options for shellfishermen affected by the worst red tide outbreak in 30 years.
In a letter to SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry and Reps. William Delahunt, Stephen Lynch, Jim McGovern, John F. Tierney, and Barney Frank Friday requested an in-state meeting with SBA representatives to address mounting financial concerns over the Alexandrium algae outbreak that has forced the closure of most of the state's coastline to shellfishing.
The Massachusetts delegation is specifically seeking a briefing, at a mutually convenient site, about the sorts of federal disaster loans available to shellfishermen.
''Senator Kerry and the Massachusetts delegation want to provide relief to the families and fishermen that are in the midst of this red tide crisis as soon as possible, and they want to make sure that the SBA gives a full explanation to get that relief to them as soon as possible,'' Setti Warren, a Kerry aide, said yesterday.
''We want SBA representatives there to say this is how it works, and let the fishermen query them.''
The red tide was first detected in Maine about three weeks ago, quickly spreading south along the coasts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Nearly the entire Massachusetts shoreline is now closed to shellfishing with the exception of some beaches along Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound and parts of Buzzards Bay.
Red tide, which occurs when the Alexandrium algae blooms, produces a toxin that can potentially kill humans who eat shellfish that have ingested the algae.
The federal delegation, in its letter to Barreto, wrote: ''As you know, the disaster loan office that serves Massachusetts is based in Niagara Falls, N.Y. We believe, rather than relying on long-distance calls, it would be more helpful to the small business owners (shellfishermen) to meet in person with experienced disaster loan officers to explain what the loans are, including the low interest rate and repayment terms, and how to apply for them.''
The federal action, spearheaded by Kerry, comes on the heels of Gov. Mitt Romney's economic-disaster declaration Thursday. It was the first such declaration in state history for a red-tide outbreak.
Kerry had urged Romney to make the state declaration, a prerequisite for seeking federal assistance
''As soon as SBA - as soon as the Administration responds - we can set the meeting,'' Warren said.
State and federal officials have cast a wide net in response to the crisis, contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Commerce Department.
Romney last week said he had been in touch with White House officials, who have promised to accelerate the aid-application process.
The governor warned that the financial impact to the
state's shellfishing industry of the worst toxic bloom in Massachusetts since 1972 could top $24 million.
The red tide has affected clams, oysters and mussels, all of which cannot be harvested for commercial or recreational use until the closures are lifted. But that may not happen until July, according to scientists, who have been scrambling to keep up with the outbreak.
Lobsters, crabs, shrimp and fin fish do not absorb the toxin from the algae, and officials have deemed them safe to eat. Also, the cleaned muscle meat of sea scallops has been deemed safe to eat.
The toxin is a danger to those who eat contaminated shellfish but not to swimmers.
In addition to SBA loans, shellfishermen may be eligible to collect unemployment insurance from the U.S. Department of Labor. Romney said last week that Massachusetts' fishing industry is losing about $3 million a week.
Shellfish naturally purge themselves of the toxin once the algae bloom subsides. The outbreak was blamed on cold, rainy weather this spring.
The state Division of Marine Fisheries posts regular advisories on the red tide on its Web site. For the latest, go to http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/marinefisheriesnotices/advisories.htm.
The state's congressional delegation has issued an S.O.S. to the chief of the federal Small Business Administration, requesting an SBA briefing in Massachusetts to discuss relief options for shellfishermen affected by the worst red tide outbreak in 30 years.
In a letter to SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry and Reps. William Delahunt, Stephen Lynch, Jim McGovern, John F. Tierney, and Barney Frank Friday requested an in-state meeting with SBA representatives to address mounting financial concerns over the Alexandrium algae outbreak that has forced the closure of most of the state's coastline to shellfishing.
The Massachusetts delegation is specifically seeking a briefing, at a mutually convenient site, about the sorts of federal disaster loans available to shellfishermen.
''Senator Kerry and the Massachusetts delegation want to provide relief to the families and fishermen that are in the midst of this red tide crisis as soon as possible, and they want to make sure that the SBA gives a full explanation to get that relief to them as soon as possible,'' Setti Warren, a Kerry aide, said yesterday.
''We want SBA representatives there to say this is how it works, and let the fishermen query them.''
The red tide was first detected in Maine about three weeks ago, quickly spreading south along the coasts of New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Nearly the entire Massachusetts shoreline is now closed to shellfishing with the exception of some beaches along Nantucket Sound, Vineyard Sound and parts of Buzzards Bay.
Red tide, which occurs when the Alexandrium algae blooms, produces a toxin that can potentially kill humans who eat shellfish that have ingested the algae.
The federal delegation, in its letter to Barreto, wrote: ''As you know, the disaster loan office that serves Massachusetts is based in Niagara Falls, N.Y. We believe, rather than relying on long-distance calls, it would be more helpful to the small business owners (shellfishermen) to meet in person with experienced disaster loan officers to explain what the loans are, including the low interest rate and repayment terms, and how to apply for them.''
The federal action, spearheaded by Kerry, comes on the heels of Gov. Mitt Romney's economic-disaster declaration Thursday. It was the first such declaration in state history for a red-tide outbreak.
Kerry had urged Romney to make the state declaration, a prerequisite for seeking federal assistance
''As soon as SBA - as soon as the Administration responds - we can set the meeting,'' Warren said.
State and federal officials have cast a wide net in response to the crisis, contacting the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Commerce Department.
Romney last week said he had been in touch with White House officials, who have promised to accelerate the aid-application process.
The governor warned that the financial impact to the
state's shellfishing industry of the worst toxic bloom in Massachusetts since 1972 could top $24 million.
The red tide has affected clams, oysters and mussels, all of which cannot be harvested for commercial or recreational use until the closures are lifted. But that may not happen until July, according to scientists, who have been scrambling to keep up with the outbreak.
Lobsters, crabs, shrimp and fin fish do not absorb the toxin from the algae, and officials have deemed them safe to eat. Also, the cleaned muscle meat of sea scallops has been deemed safe to eat.
The toxin is a danger to those who eat contaminated shellfish but not to swimmers.
In addition to SBA loans, shellfishermen may be eligible to collect unemployment insurance from the U.S. Department of Labor. Romney said last week that Massachusetts' fishing industry is losing about $3 million a week.
Shellfish naturally purge themselves of the toxin once the algae bloom subsides. The outbreak was blamed on cold, rainy weather this spring.
The state Division of Marine Fisheries posts regular advisories on the red tide on its Web site. For the latest, go to http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/marinefisheriesnotices/advisories.htm.
