NOAA has taken the decision to re-open more gulf waters for fishing came after consultation with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and under a reopening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states. According to NOAA no oil traces have been found in the area since July. even US coast Guard observers have also not found any oil there.
Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator, comments that consumer safety is NOAA’s primary concern, which is why we developed rigorous safety standards in conjunction with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure that seafood is safe in the reopened area. She informed that Gulf fish from this area is safe to eat and pleased that recreational and commercial fisherman can fish these waters again.
Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of food and drugs, explained that it is very important to the culture and economy of this region to get back out on the water and be able to once again harvest the seafood that the Gulf is famous for. NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly re-opened area, and the agency has also implemented dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen. NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety.
