With Scarborough’s clam flats shut for five weeks now – due first to excessive rainfall and then to a historically bad red tide – idle clammers are facing the possibility of a ruined season.
“Red tide” is algae that cause bivalve shellfish to become toxic when eaten. The toxin poses a danger to humans who consume affected shellfish. After the red tide subsides, the shellfish purge the toxin and again become safe to consume.
Clam diggers are accustomed to some closures, but usually these periods last a week or two. Extended closures such as the one they are now facing are causing concerns both because of its length and timing.
“This is getting into prime season. We don’t usually have it this long,” said Peter Angis, chairman of the Scarborough Shellfish Commission and a commercial clam digger. “We could get double than say in October or earlier in the year.”
Most clammers prepare for temporary closures as best as they can. Many have second jobs and those who do not try to save some money for times like these. But that money only lasts so long, Angis said, and the longer the closure lasts the harder it will become.
It is especially frustrating for Scarborough’s clam diggers because it seemed like a good year right from the beginning, said John Lyons, a commercial clam digger who has been in the profession for 40 years. He said the clams seemed plentiful and many were becoming legal size. “We’ve been watching (the clams) grow for two years,” he said.
Some people were so optimistic about the upcoming season that they had started discussing buying new trucks and thought this would have been a banner year.
“Never count your clams before they are dug,” Lyons quipped.
Those who rely on clamming for a living are already dipping into reserve cash or taking other odd jobs until they can get back out and search for clams.
The problems facing Scarborough clam diggers are not unique. Up and down the New England coast many are feeling the same pinch and are becoming nervous that they may not be able to dig at all this summer.
“Everybody is losing big time because it’s usually better clamming during the early summer months,” said Angis.
In fact the red tide has become so widespread and long-lasting that last week Gov. John Baldacci declared an economic emergency for the state’s shellfish industry, triggering federal aid from the Small Business Administration to assist businesses and clam diggers that are affected by the closures.
Lyons said he would probably apply for an SBA loan to help hold him over until he can begin to dig clams again.
There is no way to predict how long the closures will last. Some marine experts have indicated that this bloom is so toxic that it may last through the summer and maybe into the fall.
Lyons is more optimistic, saying that there is really no way to tell and there may still be a chance of salvaging what is the beginning of a dismal season by having a good July, August and September.
“We’ll just have to wait it out and hopefully it’s not as bad as they say,” he said.
Once the flats do open, Lyons expects to be out there digging every day to make up for the lost income.
The red tide has also adjusted the schedule of Scarborough Marine Resources Officer David Corbeau. One of his duties is visiting local dealers and making sure they are not stocking local clams. He also is keeping an eye out on the flats to make sure that people are not digging, which is usually more of an issue for recreational diggers who are not aware of the closures.
Corbeau also serves as a contact point for many of the town’s commercial diggers, for them to get updates about the status of the flats.
The state tests the water a couple of times a week and Angis tries to stay in contact with officials to see how things are progressing. He said there is little to do except wait.
“Hopefully it will be soon,” he said.
But both Angis and Lyons will take the good with the bad when it comes to their profession and would not change anything or consider moving into any fishery.
“I like it too much. I like the fact that you’re your own boss,” Lyons said. “It’s like being part of nature.”
Send questions/comments to the editors.
