[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 37 (Monday, March 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS AND HYPOXIA RESEARCH AND CONTROL AMENDMENTS ACT OF 
                                  2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. ALLEN BOYD

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 12, 2010

  Mr. BOYD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3650, the Harmful 
Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act. I 
represent North Florida along the coast line of the Gulf of Mexico. My 
district has some of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in the 
Nation, as well as a strong fishing and oyster industry. This coastline 
is pristine and much of it is undeveloped. Every time the Algal Blooms 
near our coastline, our local economy and environment come under 
threat.
  Algal blooms have a significant impact on our seafood industry. In 
particular, the blooms directly affect the filter-feeders. Oysters and 
scallops are a significant economic engine to many of the small towns 
along the Gulf coastline. When the 2005 algal bloom incident occurred, 
many folks in my district lost a significant amount of their income 
because of the toxins that result from algal blooms. In fact, the 
Apalachicola Bay was closed for over 50 percent of the season, 
resulting in loss of seafood harvest, cancelled tourist reservations, 
regional defamation and illness that exceeded millions.
  Algal blooms also have a significant impact on Florida's tourism 
industry. The effects of the toxins can lead to respiratory and eye 
problems in people who are exposed. When algal blooms take over, 
tourists can not enjoy the wildlife and ecosystems they came to 
experience and this has a clear and disastrous impact on our State's 
$53 billion tourism industry.
  In conclusion, the welfare of our coastal communities, seafood 
production, and health in the Apalachicola Bay, and all along the 
Florida coast, remains at risk due to algal blooms. This situation must 
have more attention and science devoted to protect our economy and job, 
as well as the environment and public health. I support H.R. 3650 and 
will continue to do my part to help develop responsible and more 
effective methods to stop algal blooms.

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