#maquoitbay — Public Fediverse posts

I had a bad feeling that this summer would be the last time I would have fried clams...

Dead clams, worms reported amid #CascoBay #AlgalBloom

Story by Griffin Stockford, 9/9/2026

"Dead and dying clams and worms, brown water, and a strong odor of decay have been reported along parts of the Harpswell coast as the Maine Department of Marine Resources monitors a widespread algal bloom in Casco Bay.

"Clam harvesters in #HarpswellME began reporting the unusual conditions, prompting the town's harbormaster to ask coastal residents and harvesters to document what they see and provide photographs, descriptions, and exact locations.

"The Maine Department of Marine Resources has also confirmed it is monitoring a bloom of the commonly occurring phytoplankton #KareniaMikimotoi.

"The bloom has been observed from Portland Harbor to Middle Bay, with additional reports from waters in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, according to DMR. Phytoplankton counts in Portland reached 2 million cells per liter, according to officials.

"DMR staff and members of the public have reported brown discoloration of the water and an accompanying odor.

"Early reports indicate clam deaths in Middle Bay and #MaquoitBay may be related to the bloom, according to DMR.

"The agency said Karenia mikimotoi is not a threat to human health, unlike some other harmful algal blooms that can produce toxins associated with shellfish poisoning. However, the phytoplankton can have harmful effects on marine organisms.

"The species can produce compounds that potentially affect fish and shellfish. #FishKills and other marine mortality events have been reported during blooms of Karenia mikimotoi in locations including #HongKong, #Australia, #Ireland, #Japan, #Korea and #Alaska."

Read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/dead-clams-worms-reported-amid-casco-bay-algal-bloom/ar-AA2bSmQt

#Maine #MaineNews #CascoBay #ToxicAlgae #MarineLife #WaterIsLife #ClimateChange #ClimateDiaryMaine