According to NOAA release all commercial and recreational fishing including catch and release is prohibited in the closed area; however, transit through the area is allowed. The closure measures 80,228 sq mi (207,790 sq km) and covers about 33 percent of the Gulf of Mexico exclusive economic zone. The majority of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico are open to commercial and recreational fishing.
NOAA has appealed to the fishermen not to fish in areas where oil or oil sheens (very thin layers of floating oil) are present, even if those areas are not currently closed to fishing. If state waters are not closed to fishing due to the oil spill, federally permitted vessels may fish in those waters while abiding by all other applicable regulations.
The press release also reminded the permit holders to maintain their federal vessel permits by submitting timely reporting requirements and renewal applications, even if the vessel is not currently engaged in fishing activities.
