PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 27, 2025
Just 2 inches of rain in 24 hours triggers an automatic closure of all mudflats for shellfish harvesting. Even 1 inch in 24 hours can lead to emergency closuress. These closures affect local jobs, seafood supply chains and the economy tied to Maine’s working waterfronts. Shellfish harvesters, aquaculture farmers, seafood processors and restaurants all feel the ripple effect when polluted runoff makes shellfish unsafe to eat. What causes these closures? Runoff from roads, lawns and parking lots carries pet waste, fertilizers, pesticides, bird/animal droppings and other contaminants into nearby rivers, coves and the ocean. By reducing or eliminating lawn fertilizers and pesticides, planting native vegetation and leaving buffer zones along shorelines and streams, homeowners can help reduce runoff and improve the resiliency of our coastal ecosystems. Properly maintaining septic systems or overboard discharge systems is also a must. Another simple step is cleaning up after pets. And boaters should be mindful of how they dispose of waste. Let’s protect the coast and people who rely on the ocean for their livelihoods, starting from our own backyards. ~ Monique Coombs, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association