By Tom Farmer
Moving to avert economic disaster from a severe outbreak of red tide, state officials tried yesterday to calm consumer hysteria that is sending fish consumption into a tailspin while seeking relief for 1,700 Bay State shell fishermen put out of work. ``We have 1,700 families that are being significantly affected by this, but also, restaurateurs and other tourist industries and businesses are being affected,'' said Gov. Mitt Romney after a meeting in Gloucester with fishermen, restaurant and other business owners and state and local officials.
Reacting to a request from U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, the Small Business Administration declared the situation in Massachusetts an economic emergency and will make low-interest loans available to shell fishermen affected by the ban on Bay State shellfish.
Kerry is also seeking relief from the U.S. Commerce Commission and Romney is working with the Massachusetts delegation and the Federal Emergency Management Administration to have President Bush declare a state of emergency so affected workers can receive unemployment benefits. The red tide outbreak is costing the state an estimated $3 million a week in lost earnings and business.
While the deadly outbreak of toxic algae affects only shellfish such as clams or mussels, business owners said consumers are being frightened away from eating fish, lobster and scallops, which are unaffected.
Romney also noted it is perfectly safe to order shellfish at restaurants or buy it in stores because the product is being brought into Massachusetts from out-of-state and is subject to rigid inspection.
``What we have to remember here is this red tide does not affect swimming at all, the food on people's tables (or) the food in restaurants,'' he said.
Moving to avert economic disaster from a severe outbreak of red tide, state officials tried yesterday to calm consumer hysteria that is sending fish consumption into a tailspin while seeking relief for 1,700 Bay State shell fishermen put out of work. ``We have 1,700 families that are being significantly affected by this, but also, restaurateurs and other tourist industries and businesses are being affected,'' said Gov. Mitt Romney after a meeting in Gloucester with fishermen, restaurant and other business owners and state and local officials.
Reacting to a request from U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, the Small Business Administration declared the situation in Massachusetts an economic emergency and will make low-interest loans available to shell fishermen affected by the ban on Bay State shellfish.
Kerry is also seeking relief from the U.S. Commerce Commission and Romney is working with the Massachusetts delegation and the Federal Emergency Management Administration to have President Bush declare a state of emergency so affected workers can receive unemployment benefits. The red tide outbreak is costing the state an estimated $3 million a week in lost earnings and business.
While the deadly outbreak of toxic algae affects only shellfish such as clams or mussels, business owners said consumers are being frightened away from eating fish, lobster and scallops, which are unaffected.
Romney also noted it is perfectly safe to order shellfish at restaurants or buy it in stores because the product is being brought into Massachusetts from out-of-state and is subject to rigid inspection.
``What we have to remember here is this red tide does not affect swimming at all, the food on people's tables (or) the food in restaurants,'' he said.
