Most of the Louisiana’s waters have been re-opened for recreational and commercial fishing in portions of the state inside and outside waters within the Barataria Basin, one of the areas that had been closed because of last year’s BP oil spill. As for the winds, anglers report “choppy to rough” conditions on lakes and inland bays and “downright rough offshore seas.”
According to Louisiana’s Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 99.4 percent of the state’s waters are now open to commercial and recreational fishing. NOAA has confirmed that seafoods from newly opened areas are safe to eat. LDWF Secretary Robert Barham said that the department is closely working with their state and federal partners and could continue to ensure consumers of Louisiana seafood that it is safe.
Recreational and commercial fishing reopens immediately in time for the weekend in certain portions of state inside waters adjacent to Grand Terre Island, Four Bayou Pass and the Barataria Waterway. Furthermore, this opening does not include the commercial harvest of oysters, as this activity is regulated by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
