Diggers idled by flat closures
Fearing one of the worst seasons ever, clam diggers were forced again to lie idle in the wake of heavy rains this weekend that closed flats from the midcoast area south.
Flats were just reopening following an outbreak of red tide when the weekend's rains closed them once again. Diggers, who hope to be able to work this weekend, say this summer's above-normal rains and record-setting red tides have already made this the worst in a string of bad years for the industry, according to the Portland Press Herald.
A 2005 University of Maine study found that a one-week statewide closure in August would result in an estimated loss of $1.2 million for clam diggers and mussel harvesters, and an economic loss of $2.9 million for Maine's economy, according to the paper.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments