The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that NOAA will re-open 26,388 square miles of Gulf of Mexico waters to commercial and recreational fishing on July 29, 2010. This amounts to a third of the overall area closed as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon blowout.
NOAA announced the reopening after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA and under a re-opening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states. NOAA’s press release explains, “Since mid-June, NOAA data have shown no oil in the area, and United States Coast Guard observers flying over the area in the last 30 days have also not observed any oil. Additionally, trajectory models show the area is at a low risk for future exposure to oil, and fish caught in the area and tested by NOAA experts have shown no signs of contamination.”
NOAA emphasized the critical role that science played in its decision to reopen this area. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said, “Following the best science for this re-opening provides important assurance to the American people that the seafood they buy is safe and protects the Gulf seafood brand and the many people who depend on it for their livelihoods.”
The area to be reopened is about 190 miles southeast of the Deepwater/BP wellhead. The area where the majority of fishing will occur is about 220 miles from the wellhead, along the west Florida shelf.
Jane Lubchenco, under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, said, “We are confident that seafood caught in this area is, and will continue to be, free from contamination.”
NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures based on the evolving nature of the spill and will re-open other closed areas as appropriate.
● Click here to read NOAA’s press release about the reopening
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/deepwater_horizon/reopening_july10.pdf