The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) opened up almost 7,000 more square miles to fishing in the Gulf of Mexico today located about 200 miles south of the Florida panhandle. The reopening continues to shrink the area that the federal government has closed due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
“Each reopening is a reassuring sign that areas once impacted by oil can again support sustainable fishing activities,” said Jane Lubchenco, administrator at NOAA.
Hundreds of fish have been tested by the NOAA during the past few months. According to an NOAA statement the results showed “no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis for oil- related compounds well below the levels of concern.”
About 16,500 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico remain closed to fishing due to the oil spill, representing about 7% of federal waters in the Gulf. The closed area is approximately 20% of the size of the total area originally closed to fishing by the NOAA.
Source:
Dow Jones Newswires, “NOAA Reopens Another Stretch Of Gulf Of Mexico For Fishing”
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