According to the press communiqué of NOAA Fisheries Service prohibited royal red shrimp fishing in this area as a precautionary measure, after a fisherman targeting this species reported catching tar balls in his bottom trawl. BP oil spill has done much damage to the fishing waters in the Gulf of Mexico. The closure was instituted in consultation with the FDA to ensure seafood safety while NOAA further investigated the situation.
After the fishermen caught tar ball in their fishing net the area was again closed. NOAA analysed royal red shrimp and tar ball samples collected from the fisherman, and conducted additional sampling and video surveillance in and around the closed area to determine the extent and magnitude of tar balls and to collect additional shrimp and finfish samples for analysis.
NOAA has completed the analysis and determined, in consultation with the FDA, shrimp and finfish from the area are safe to eat. All seafood samples have passed both sensory and chemical testing. The area immediately surrounding the wellhead remains closed to all fishing.
