The Nation - News from April 7, 1988

Red tide killed more than half of North Carolina’s adult scallops this year and nearly wiped out juvenile scallops that would have been harvested next year, scientists said. Dr. Charles Peterson, a professor at the University of North Carolina’s Institute of Marine Sciences, said samplings he has taken show in most areas from 92 to 98% of the juvenile scallops have been lost. Red tide is a toxic algae that poisons shellfish, clogs the gills of fin fish, and gives off a gas that irritates the eyes and throats of humans. It washed in on North Carolina shores for the first time last fall, crippling the tourist business and dealing clam and oyster fishermen a $3.5-million blow.