Laurie Connell
School of Marine Sciences
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
laurie.connell@umit.maine.edu

Maine’s extensive and productive tidal flats are often closed to shellfish harvesting when harmful organisms known as Alexandrium or red tide are present. These algae contain a toxin that causes paralytic poisoning in people who eat contaminated shellfish. The Maine Department of Marine Resources is responsible for monitoring harmful algal blooms and opening and closing clam flats. With limited staff available to sample Maine’s extensive coastline, closures can be unpredictable, leaving fishermen unable to prepare for and adjust to closures. Connell is collecting data on Alexandrium cell counts and shellfish toxicity in nearshore waters of Cobscook Bay to inform development of a tool that might better predict where closures may occur.

Sea Grant funds: $3,840