According to the Commission the plan excludes all commercial fishing activity from the areas now open to recreational fishermen. It shows that nearly 86 percent of the state coastal waters open to recreational activity, including fishing, shrimping and crabbing. As much as 50 percent of the state’s coastal waters were closed as of Wednesday morning. The commission approved the plan by voice vote of six commission members.
Baton Rouge angler Ed Sexton said that there is no evidence there is anything wrong with our fish. Coastal Conservation Association-Louisiana executive director David Cresson, who attended the ICAST Fishing Trade Show in Las Vegas, said he was pleased with the decision. He told that the decision give people the opportunity to get on the water and help the business dependent on recreational fishing.
State Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham said testing and continued monitoring are the department’s top priorities. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina told the commission the reason commercial fishing remains closed is an edict from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that requires more testing from the areas before the federal agency will allow interstate shipment of Louisiana seafood products.
Both state agencies confirmed that recent tests showed all Louisiana seafood tested — finfish, shrimp, crabs and oysters — were free of contamination, and any chemicals found in these species were far below those considered to be a health hazard to humans. While the issue drew broad support from as many as 10 members of the CCA-Louisiana and the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Louisiana Seafood and Marketing Promotions Board’s Harlan Pierce opposed the plan.
