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 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.
"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.
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