According to a media report the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is re-opening 4,213 square miles of Gulf of Mexico federal waters to royal red shrimping. NOAA said that re-opening of the area was done after fish and shrimp sampling and testing from the area which showed no oil or dispersant contamination. The decision was also made after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to NOAA. It follows previous decisions to allow all commercial and recreational fishing to resume in the same federal waters.
Roy Crabtree, assistant NOAA administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service southeast region, informed that extensive testing of royal red shrimp and other fish from this area revealed they are safe to eat. He also added that seafood safety and consumer confidence remain a priority for NOAA, and we will continue monitoring Gulf seafood for as long as necessary to ensure its integrity.
NOAA confirmed that all fish tested by the agencies demonstrates that Gulf seafood is safe for human consumption. NOAA press release said that the results from the sensory analysis found no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results from the chemical analysis for oil-related compounds and dispersants were well below the levels of concern.
