The aid comes after some political wrangling on Capitol Hill, and as concerns mount about recent closures because of flooding and red tide.
"I think we're going to see a worse year," said RJ Mere, a recreational clam digger.
The state banned shellfish harvesting in varying degrees from the New Hampshire border to Owls Head Light last week because of red tide. Some of the areas were closed earlier this year because of runoff from heavy rain that flooded York County.
Last year, the worst New England red tide prompted harvesting bans and restrictions that lasted more than a month, triggering a federal disaster declaration in late June because of economic losses in the millions of dollars.
John
