BACKGROUND: Red tide, a term referring to the visual effects on the ocean surface of the algae bloom associated with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), is a concern in Maine and other coastal states. The Maine Department of Marine Resources is responsible for detecting red tide and managing affected areas of the coast during times of PSP breakout, when shellfish become toxic to humans. During these outbreaks, red tide areas are closed to fishermen, who must be immediately notified of these closures. Previously, textual closure notification descriptions without maps were only accessible by calling a hotline or checking town postings. MDMR had no effective method for immediate dissemination of red tide closure and ancillary data sets in a mapping format.