AUGUSTA, Maine — January 13, 2014 — The spread of “dead mud” among Maine’s shellfish flats could have disastrous implications for clammers, lobstermen, oyster farmers and others whose livelihoods depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.
What’s the source of this new threat to one of the state’s most important natural resource industries? Several indicators point to the acidity of the ocean as the culprit.
All along the coast, environmental groups and marine biologists are seeing a correlation between higher acidity levels in seawater, lower landings of shellfish and reproductive problems at aquaculture facilities, but there is little data to prove it. A bill sponsored by Rep. Mick Devin, D-Newcastle, who works as a marine biologist, seeks to solve the mystery.
LD 1602, which would establish a panel of experts to study the problem, has the support of the state’s Department of Marine Resources and would cost $25,000 or less, according to Devin.
“Maine’s marine resources support a $1 billion industry and thousands of jobs,” said Devin, who introduced the bill to the Legislature’s Marine Resources Committee on Monday. “Ocean acidification has the potential to shut down Maine’s shellfish industry and we can’t afford to lose it.”
Read the full story at the Bangor Daily News