[StBernard] NOAA Reopens More than 5, 000 Square Miles in the Gulf to Fishing

[Westley Annis]

NOAA Reopens More than 5,000 Square Miles in the Gulf to Fishing

NOAA reopened 5,130 square miles of Gulf waters Thursday, stretching from
the far eastern coast of Louisiana, through Mississippi, Alabama, and the
western Florida panhandle to commercial and recreational fishing. This area
was reopened after consultation with FDA and under a re-opening protocol
<http://www.fda.gov/Food/ucm217598.htm>  agreed to by NOAA, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration, and the Gulf states. NOAA reports that fish caught
in the area and tested by NOAA experts showed no signs of contamination.

 

"This is a significant area of importance to fishing and tourism," said Jane
Lubchenco, Ph.D., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and
NOAA Administrator. "The Gulf seafood taken from these waters is safe to
eat, and today's re-opening announcement is another signal to tourists that
the northern Gulf is open for business."

 

At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 54 miles north of the
Deepwater/BP wellhead.  The entire area is heavily fished by fishermen
targeting snapper, mackerel, and shrimp. In addition, the area off the
Florida panhandle currently open only to finfish fishing will be opened to
all fishing.

 

NOAA reports that they sampled the area between July 27 and August 11, 2010
for both shrimp and finfish, including mackerel and snapper. Sensory
analyses of 123 samples and chemical analyses of 183 specimens that were
composited into 27 samples followed the methodology and procedures in the
re-opening protocol, with sensory analysis finding no detectable oil or
dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis well below the
levels of concern.

 

NOAA says that it will continue to take samples for testing from the newly
re-opened area and that it will continue to work closely with the FDA and
the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together
on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside
and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

 

A map of reopening:

 

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/deepwater_horizon/BP_OilSpill_FisheryClosureMap
_090210_Opening.pdf
<http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/deepwater_horizon/BP_OilSpill_FisheryClosureMa
p_090210_Opening.pdf>