NOAA has expanded the closed fishing areas in the Gulf of Mexico but more than 77 percent of Gulf is still open for fishing. The extended areas match the Louisiana state waters closure west of the current boundaries, and to incorporate an area reportedly with oil in the southwest. The authority said that the closing fishing areas is nothing but a precautionary measure to ensure that seafood from the Gulf will remain safe for consumers.
According to NOAA the closed area now represents 54,096 square miles, which is slightly more than 22 percent of Gulf of Mexico federal waters. The federal and state governments have systems in place to test and monitor seafood safety, prohibit harvesting from affected areas, and keep oiled products out of the marketplace.
NOAA informed that it works hand in hand with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the states to ensure seafood safety, by closing fishing areas where tainted seafood could potentially be caught, and assessing whether seafood is tainted or contaminated to levels that pose a risk to human health. NOAA and FDA are working to implement a broad-scaled seafood sampling plan.
NOAA claim that there are approximately 5.7 million recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region who took 25 million fishing trips in 2008. Commercial fishermen in the Gulf harvested more than one billion pounds of fish and shellfish in 2008. Fishermen who wish to contact BP about a claim should call 800-440-0858. NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures based on the evolving nature of the spill and will re-open closed areas as appropriate.
