The government has ordered a halt to fishing in areas that covers waters from Louisiana to Florida and hinders the livelihoods of untold numbers of fishermen. The decision was taken for public safety. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has restricted fishing for at least 10 days in the affected waters, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Pensacola Bay in Florida. Scientists were taking samples of water and seafood to ensure food safety.
Roy Crabtree, the Southeast regional administrator for NOAA Fisheries, informed that they want to make sure that we can maintain the public confidence in the safety of the food supply and make sure that members of the public aren’t at risk. Harlon Pearce,
the chairman of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, expressed that the trawlers fishing for swordfish and tuna, and charter-boat operators, many of whom work out of Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, are likely to feel the impact more than Louisiana fishermen.
This decision came as a blow to the industry that has already had a rough few years, with high prices, off seasons and devastating storms. Louisiana and Mississippi have already asked the government to declare a fisheries disaster, a requirement for federal disaster aid. To make the loss the industry had already incurred Louisiana announced the early shrimp season in certain areas last week so that shrimpers could haul in as much as possible before oil started moving in and potentially damaging the stock. The weather has not been cooperative, however.
Lawyers representing hundreds of Louisiana fishermen who are being hired by BP went to federal court on Sunday with a complaint about the agreements that BP was having them sign.
