For Immediate Release: November 19, 2008 Further Information: Mark Forest - 202-225-3111/774-487-2534 DELAHUNT ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION IN RED TIDE AID FOR MASSACHUSETTS   Aid Will Assist Shellfishermen Hurt By This Year’s Closures WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Delahunt announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will provide up to $2 million in aid to those in the shellfish industry affected by this year's closures due to red tide. “While this certainly does not make up for all of the economic losses that our fishermen have faced, I am pleased that the federal government has stepped up and provided some relief to those who have been hurt hard by this most recent red tide outbreak,” said Delahunt. “The health of New England’s shellfish industry is vital to the economic health of our coastal communities and the we must do more to help our fishermen during these very difficult times.” Shellfish closures due to the harmful algal bloom began in the waters off Cape Cod in May and spread north into the waters off New Hampshire and Maine. Fishermen were unable to harvest clams, mussels, oysters and other shellfish in areas closed after tests showed the shellfish was infected with a single cell algae that when ingested by humans can lead to potentially lethal paralytic shellfish poisoning. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez declared a commercial fishery failure on Friday following a request by Governor Deval Patrick. Aid was also provided to Maine and New Hampshire. Each state must now submit their plans to NOAA on how they will distribute the money to eligible fishermen.   -30- Newsroom