Contacts:
- Bryant Lewis - Western Maine Growing Area Program Supervisor (Kittery to Dice Head, Castine)
- David W. Miller - Eastern Maine Growing Area Program Supervisor (Dice Head, Castine to Calais)
Program Description:
The Marine Biotoxin Monitoring Program is administered by the Department's Bureau of Public Health. It uses the standards outlined in the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) to monitor levels of PSP ("Red Tide") and other marine biotoxins in the shellfish of the State of Maine.
When toxin is found at levels near or above where human illness may occur, closures to the harvest of shellfish areas are implemented. Maine has historically had high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP), more commonly known as "Red Tide", during the warmer periods of the year. Shellfish samples are collected statewide between March and October and evaluated at the PSP laboratory in Boothbay Harbor. Data are then interpreted and appropriate closures are made when necessary in order to protect public health.
As of May, 2014, the DMR Bureau of Public Health Biotoxin Program has transitioned testing techniques from the traditional mouse bioassay to a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for most species of bivalve shellfish (clams, mussels, oysters). The sample processing is done through a partnership with Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences which was successfully evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration in March 2014.
For More Information:
- Biotoxins in Maine
- Shellfish Consumption Reminder
- Biotoxin Volunteer information
- Biotoxin Monitoring Forms and Protocols page for forms and operating procedures.
- Find out whether it is safe to harvest in a specific area by visiting the Shellfish Closure page, or calling your local Marine Patrol Officer, or calling the Closure Hotline at 1-800-232-4733 or 207-624-7727