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NOAA: All federal waters of the Gulf once closed to fishing due to spill now open

NOAA Reopens More Than 4,000 Square Miles of Closed Gulf Fishing Area - Closed area is now about 20 percent

NOAA Reopens More Than 4,000 Square Miles of Closed Gulf Fishing Area - Closed area is now about 20 percent

DATE: August 27, 2010 11:49:25 AM CDT

NOAA Reopens More than 4,000 Square Miles of Closed Gulf Fishing Area

Today NOAA reopened 4,281 square miles of Gulf waters off western Louisiana to commercial and recreational fishing. The reopening was announced after consultation with FDA and under a re-opening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.

On July 18, NOAA data showed no oil in the area. Light sheen was observed on July 29, but none since. Trajectory models show the area is at a low risk for future exposure to oil, and fish caught in the area and tested by NOAA experts have shown no signs of contamination.

"Scientists, food safety experts, members of the fishing industry and local, state, federal officials, are working together every day to ensure that seafood from the Gulf is safe to eat," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. "We will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and test seafood in reopened waters."

Between July 26 and July 29, NOAA sampled the area for both shrimp and finfish, including mackerel and snapper. Sensory analyses of 41 samples and chemical analyses of 125 specimens that were composited into 14 samples followed the methodology and procedures in the re-opening protocol, with sensory analysis finding no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis well below the levels of concern.

At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 185 miles west of the Deepwater/BP wellhead. The entire area is heavily fished by fishermen targeting reef fish, menhaden and shrimp.

"Because of our strict adherence to the reopening protocol agreed to by the states and the federal government we have confidence that seafood harvested from this area is free from harmful oil residues and can be enjoyed by consumers around the nation," said Margaret Hamburg, M.D., Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly re-opened area, and the agency has also implemented dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen. To view the fact sheet released today on the administration-wide effort to ensure Gulf seafood safety, click here.

Fishing closures remain the first line of defense to prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

The closed area now covers 48,114 square miles, or about 20 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf, which was 37 percent at its height. On July 22, NOAA reopened 26,388 square miles of Gulf waters off of the Florida Peninsula, and on August 10 opened 5,144 square miles off the Florida Panhandle.

NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures and will re-open closed areas as appropriate.



NOAA has a number of methods for the public to obtain information or be notified when there is a change to the closed area:
  • Call 1-800-627-NOAA (1-800-627-6622) to hear a recording of the current coordinates in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish.
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for messages about the closure.
  • Follow us on Twitter: @usnoaagov to get a tweet when the closed area changes.
NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/886383/


Also see:

DATE: August 27, 2010 3:59:06 PM CDT

Transcript -NOAA Administrator Briefing to Discuss the Reopening of Federal Waters Along Western Louisiana

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/886971/
 
Re: NOAA Reopens More Than 5,000 Square Miles of Closed Gulf Fishing Area - Closed area is now about 18 percent

Re: NOAA Reopens More Than 5,000 Square Miles of Closed Gulf Fishing Area - Closed area is now about 18 percent

DATE: September 2, 2010 3:42:41 PM CDT

NOAA Reopens More than 5,000 Square Miles in the Gulf to Fishing

NOAA today reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 5,130 square miles of Gulf waters stretching from the far eastern coast of <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = ST1 /><ST1:STATE w:st="on">Louisiana</ST1:STATE>, through <ST1:STATE w:st="on">Mississippi</ST1:STATE>, <ST1:STATE w:st="on">Alabama</ST1:STATE>, and the western <ST1:STATE w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Florida</ST1:PLACE></ST1:STATE> panhandle. The reopening was announced after consultation with FDA and under a re-opening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the <ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:STATE w:st="on">Gulf states</ST1:STATE></ST1:PLACE>.

Trajectory models show the area is at a low risk for future exposure to oil, and most importantly, fish caught in the area and tested by NOAA experts showed no signs of contamination.

?This is a significant area of importance to fishing and tourism,? said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. ?The Gulf seafood taken from these waters is safe to eat, and today?s re-opening announcement is another signal to tourists that the northern Gulf is open for business.?

At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 54 miles north of the Deepwater/BP wellhead. The entire area is heavily fished by fishermen targeting snapper, mackerel, and shrimp. In addition, the area off the <ST1:PLACE w:st="on"><ST1:STATE w:st="on">Florida</ST1:STATE></ST1:PLACE> panhandle currently open only to finfish fishing will be opened to all fishing.

The total area is about 4 percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and 21 percent of the current closed area, as last modified on August 27, 2010.

Between July 27 and August 11, 2010, NOAA sampled the area for both shrimp and finfish, including mackerel and snapper. Sensory analyses of 123 samples and chemical analyses of 183 specimens that were composited into 27 samples followed the methodology and procedures in the re-opening protocol, with sensory analysis finding no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis well below the levels of concern.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly re-opened area. The agency also implemented dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen.

Fishing closures remain the first line of defense to prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the <ST1:STATE w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE w:st="on">Gulf states</ST1:PLACE></ST1:STATE> to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

The closed area now covers 43,000 square miles, or about 18 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf. The boundary of the fishery closure has changed 26 times after it was first instituted on May 2, at which time it covered about three percent (6,817 square miles) of Gulf waters around the wellhead. As oil continued to spill from the wellhead, the area grew in size, peaking at 37 percent (88,522 square miles) of Gulf waters on June 2.

On July 22, NOAA reopened 26,388 square miles of Gulf waters off of the Florida Peninsula; on August 10, reopened 5,144 square miles of Gulf waters off the Florida panhandle; and on August 27, reopened 4,281 square miles of Gulf waters off western Louisiana.
NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures and will re-open closed areas as appropriate.


NOAA has a number of methods for the public to obtain information or be notified when there is a change to the closed area:
NOAA?s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.
For further information, please contact Kim Amendola at (727) 551-5707​

 
NOAA Reopens Nearly 8,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 87 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA Reopens Nearly 8,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 87 percent of federal waters now open

  • <FORM id=localWeather method=post action=http://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php>NOAA Reopens Nearly 8,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing

    87 percent of federal waters now open

    September 21, 2010
    </FORM>
NOAA today reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 7,970 square miles of Gulf waters along the southern boundary of the federal closed area.

This area is about 60 nautical miles off of central Louisiana and about 140 nautical miles off Mississippi, Alabama, and the western edge of the Florida panhandle. This is the sixth reopening in federal waters since July 22.


This reopening was announced after consultation with U.S. Food and Drug Administration and under a re-opening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.

?This area is significant to commercial and recreational fishermen who target tunas and billfish that migrate far and wide and provide an important source of income and sport,? said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. ?We?ll continue to work with our partners at FDA and the Gulf states to ensure our Gulf seafood is safe, so we can reopen more areas to fishing.?

The total area reopened today is about three percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and 20 percent of the current closed area, as last modified on September 3. No oil or sheen has been documented in the area since July 21.

At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 50 statute miles south of the Deepwater/BP wellhead.

Between July 31 and August 10, NOAA sampled the area for pelagic finfish, including tuna and billfish. Sensory analyses of 93 samples and chemical analyses of 92 samples in 18 composites followed the methodology and procedures in the re-opening protocol, with sensory analysis finding no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis well below the levels of concern.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly re-opened area. The agency will also continue dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen.

Fishing closures remain the first line of defense to prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

The remaining closed area now covers 31,915 square miles, or about 13 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf. The boundary of the fishery closure has changed 27 times after it was first instituted on May 2, at which time it covered about 3 percent (6,817 square miles) of Gulf waters around the wellhead. As oil continued to spill from the wellhead, the area grew in size, peaking at 37 percent (88,522 square miles) of Gulf waters on June 2. To date, NOAA has re-opened over 44,000 square miles of oil-impacted federal waters under this protocol and sampling regime.

NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures and will re-open closed areas as appropriate.



NOAA has a number of methods for the public to obtain information or be notified when there is a change to the closed area:
  • Sign up to receive Southeast Fishery Bulletins by email at SERO.Communications.Comments@noaa.gov
  • Call 1-800-627-NOAA (1-800-627-6622) to hear a recording of the current coordinates in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for messages about the closure
  • Receive text messages on your cell phone about changes to the closed area by texting fishing@gulf to 84469 (visit http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/558107 for more information)
  • Follow us on Twitter: @usnoaagov to get a tweet when the closed area changes
NOAA?s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100921_reopening.html
 
Re: NOAA Reopens Nearly 8,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 87 percent of federal waters now open

Re: NOAA Reopens Nearly 8,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 87 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA Reopens Gulf Recreational Red Snapper Season Allowing Anglers to Catch Remaining Quota

September 21, 2010
NOAA?s Fisheries Service announced today that recreational red snapper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico will reopen for an added season to allow fishermen to catch the quota they did not reach because a portion of the Gulf was closed due to the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill. Recreational fishing will be allowed on Fridays through Sundays for eight weeks, from Oct. 1 through Nov. 21.

A large portion of the recreational red snapper catch comes from federal waters off Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle. When much of this area was closed for the initial June 1 through July 23 recreational red snapper season due to the oil spill, fishermen caught only one third of their 3.4 million pound quota from areas outside the closure.

?We worked closely with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, fishermen, and the charter and sportfishing industries on this reopening to provide recreational fishermen an opportunity to harvest their full quota this year,? said Eric Schwaab, assistant administrator for NOAA?s Fisheries Service. ?This new season will be a boost to recreational fishing and tourism following this unprecedented oil spill event.?

The fishery management council asked NOAA?s Fisheries Service to reopen the recreational red snapper season for the Friday through Sunday schedule after listening to extensive public testimony from fishermen. The Friday through Sunday schedule will allow recreational red snapper fishing to occur later in the year, increasing the opportunity for fishermen to participate.
Since July 22, NOAA has reopened more than 52,000 square miles of Gulf federal waters previously closed due to the Deepwater Horizon/BP oil spill.

Among the next reopening priorities are federal waters located off eastern Louisiana, just west of the Mississippi River delta, which encompass popular recreational red snapper fishing grounds.

This October 1 recreational red snapper reopening does not apply to the Gulf commercial red snapper fishery. It operates under a catch share program where participants in the fishery are assigned individual shares of the 3.5 million pound commercial quota, and they can fish for those shares whenever they want throughout the year.

NOAA?s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Find us on Facebook.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100921_gulfsnapper.html
 
Re: NOAA Reopens Nearly 8,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 87 percent of federal waters now open

Re: NOAA Reopens Nearly 8,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 87 percent of federal waters now open

PRESS RELEASE

LDWF ANNOUNCES RETURN TO NORMAL FISHING ACTIVITY EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI

Baton Rouge (September 23, 2010) - Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, has ordered an emergency reopening of all fishing in 559 square miles of state waters east of the Mississippi River previously closed due to the BP oil spill. With today's action 92 percent of state waters are open.
Commercial fishing will reopen immediately today, September 23, to the harvest of finfish, crabs and shrimp in all state waters east of the Mississippi River north of the northern shore of Pass a Loutre and 29 degrees 12 minutes 40 seconds north latitude. The openings also include the recreational harvest of shrimp and crabs.

LDWF Secretary Robert Barham ordered these openings following the completion of comprehensive testing by the FDA. The FDA has advised that following extensive sensory testing and analytical chemistry results, the fish tissue samples tested from these previously closed areas are safe for consumption.

State inside waters in the Mississippi River delta south of the northern shore of Pass a Loutre and adjacent state outside waters south of 29 degrees 12 minutes 40 seconds north latitude westward to the western shore of Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River and portions of state waters in the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins will remain closed to commercial fishing until further notice.

While LDWF continues to work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to ensure the safety of Louisiana's seafood, these openings do not include the harvest of oysters, as this activity is regulated by DHH.

For more information related to the oil spill, visit http://www.emergency.louisiana.gov. Connect with us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GOHSEP and on Twitter as @GOHSEP at http://www.twitter.com/GOHSEP. View photos from the state's response efforts at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep.

http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/92310Return.html
 
NOAA Reopens More Than 5,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 89 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA Reopens More Than 5,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 89 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA Reopens More Than 5,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing

89 percent of federal waters now open

October 1, 2010
http://www.flutrackers.com/stories2010/images/fisheryclosuremap_100110_opening.png NOAA today reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 5,628 square miles of Gulf waters off eastern Louisiana, just west of the Mississippi River delta. This is the seventh reopening in federal waters since July 22.


This reopening was announced after consultation with U.S. Food and Drug Administration and under a re-opening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.

Reopening these critical fishing grounds signals progress and is important for the long-term recovery of the Gulf?s commercial and recreational industries,? said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. ?Our tests continue to reveal that Gulf seafood is safe for consumption. We will not reopen an area until we are certain the seafood from it is safe.?

The total area reopened today is about two percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and 18 percent of the current closed area, as last modified on September 21. No oil or sheen has been documented in the area since August 6. At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 75 statute miles south of the BP Deepwater wellhead.

NOAA began sampling the area on July 27 but suspended sampling when oil was observed by scientists aboard the sampling vessel. NOAA conducted a second and complete sampling of the area between August 15 and September 19 for finfish and shrimp once the area was known to be completely free of oil. Sensory analyses of 89 finfish and 25 shrimp samples, and chemical analyses of 188 finfish in 15 composites and 75 shrimp in 15 composites collected after August 15, followed the methodology and procedures in the reopening protocol. Sensory analysis found no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and the results of chemical analysis were well below the levels of concern.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly reopened area. The agency will also continue dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen.

Fishing closures remain the first line of defense to prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

The remaining closed area now covers 26,287 square miles, or about 11 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf. The boundary of the fishery closure has changed 28 times after it was first instituted on May 2, at which time it covered about 3 percent (6,817 square miles) of Gulf waters around the wellhead. As oil continued to spill from the wellhead, the area grew in size, peaking at 37 percent (88,522 square miles) of Gulf waters on June 2. To date, NOAA has re-opened more than 52,000 square miles of oil-impacted federal waters under this protocol and sampling regime.
NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures and will re-open closed areas as appropriate.

NOAA has a number of methods for the public to obtain information or be notified when there is a change to the closed area:
  • Sign up to receive Southeast Fishery Bulletins by email at SERO.Communications.Comments@noaa.gov
  • Call 1-800-627-NOAA (1-800-627-6622) to hear a recording of the current coordinates in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for messages about the closure
  • Receive text messages on your cell phone about changes to the closed area by texting fishing@gulf to 84469 (visit http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/558107 for more information)
  • Follow us on Twitter: @usnoaagov to get a tweet when the closed area changes
NOAA?s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20101001_reopening.html
 
NOAA Reopens Nearly 7,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 93 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA Reopens Nearly 7,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing - 93 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA Reopens Nearly 7,000 Square Miles in the Gulf of Mexico to Fishing

93 percent of federal waters now open

October 15, 2010
Reopened fishing area (in hashmarks) on October 15, 2010. Closure area may be updated daily as necessary.
High resolution (Credit: NOAA)


NOAA today reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 6,879 square miles of Gulf waters about 180-200 nautical miles south of the Florida panhandle, between the Florida-Alabama state line and Cape San Blas, Fla. This is the ninth reopening in federal waters since July 22.

This reopening was announced after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and under a reopening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.

?Each reopening is a reassuring sign that areas once impacted by oil can again support sustainable fishing activities? said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. ?Tourists and consumers should know most Gulf waters are open for fishing and seafood from these waters is safe to eat.?

The total area reopened today is about 3 percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and 29 percent of the current closed area, as last modified on October 5. No oil or sheen has been documented in the area since July 13. At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 110 miles southeast of the Deepwater Horizon BP wellhead.

NOAA sampled this area between August 7 through September 18 for finfish, including tuna, swordfish, and mahi mahi. Sensory analyses of 126 finfish samples and chemical analyses of 121 finfish samples in 31 composites followed the methodology and procedures in the reopening protocol, with sensory analysis finding no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis for oil-related compounds well below the levels of concern.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly reopened area. The agency will also continue dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen.

Fishing closures remain the first line of defense to prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

The remaining closed area now covers 16,481 square miles, or about 7 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf. The boundary of the fishery closure has changed 30 times after it was first instituted on May 2, at which time it covered about 3 percent (6,817 square miles) of Gulf waters around the wellhead. As oil continued to spill from the wellhead, the area grew in size, peaking at 37 percent (88,522 square miles) of Gulf waters on June 2. To date, NOAA has reopened more than 67,000 square miles of oil-impacted federal waters under this protocol and sampling regime.
NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures and will re-open closed areas as appropriate.


NOAA has a number of methods for the public to obtain information or be notified when there is a change to the closed area:
  • Sign up to receive Southeast Fishery Bulletins by email at SERO.Communications.Comments@noaa.gov
  • Call 1-800-627-NOAA (1-800-627-6622) to hear a recording of the current coordinates in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for messages about the closure
  • Receive text messages on your cell phone about changes to the closed area by texting fishing@gulf to 84469 (visit http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/558107 for more information)
  • Follow us on Twitter: @usnoaagov to get a tweet when the closed area changes
NOAA?s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.
Map available here:
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20101015_reopening.html
 
NOAA reopens more than 7,000 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico to fishing - 96 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA reopens more than 7,000 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico to fishing - 96 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA reopens more than 7,000 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico to fishing

October 22, 2010 | 3:19:31 PM EDT

96 percent of federal waters now open

NOAA today reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 7,037 square miles of Gulf waters about 80 nautical miles south of the Florida panhandle, between the Florida-Alabama state line and Cape San Blas, Fla. This is the tenth reopening in federal waters since July 22.

This reopening was announced after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and under a reopening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.

?This is another important area for fishermen who target tuna and mahi mahi,? said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. ?Our tests continue to reveal seafood from the reopened areas is safe to eat.?

The total area reopened today is about 3 percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and 22 percent of the current closed area, as last modified on October 15. No oil or sheen has been documented in the area since July 19. At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 60 miles east of the Deepwater Horizon BP wellhead.

NOAA sampled this area between September 12 through September 30 for finfish, including tuna, swordfish, and wahoo. Sensory analyses of 155 finfish samples and chemical analyses of 156 finfish samples in 22 composites followed the methodology and procedures in the reopening protocol, with sensory analysis finding no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis for oil-related compounds well below the levels of concern.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the newly reopened area. The agency will also continue dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf by commercial fishermen.

Fishing closures remain the first line of defense to prevent contaminated seafood from entering the marketplace. NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. NOAA and FDA are working together on broad-scale seafood sampling that includes sampling seafood from inside and outside the closure area, as well as dockside and market-based sampling.

The remaining closed area now covers 9,444 square miles, or about 4 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf. The boundary of the fishery closure has changed 31 times after it was first instituted on May 2, at which time it covered about 3 percent (6,817 square miles) of Gulf waters around the wellhead. As oil continued to spill from the wellhead, the area grew in size, peaking at 37 percent (88,522 square miles) of Gulf waters on June 2. To date, NOAA has reopened nearly 74,500 square miles of oil-impacted federal waters under this protocol and sampling regime.

NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures and will re-open closed areas as appropriate.

NOAA has a number of methods for the public to obtain information or be notified when there is a change to the closed area:

  • Sign up to receive Southeast Fishery Bulletins by email at SERO.Communications.Comments@noaa.gov
  • Call 1-800-627-NOAA (1-800-627-6622) to hear a recording of the current coordinates in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for messages about the closure
  • Follow us on Twitter: @usnoaagov to get a tweet when the closed area changes
NOAA?s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.
On the Web:
History of federal reopenings in the Gulf: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/BPOilSpillArchives.htm
Schedule of sampling priority areas: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100927_reopening.html

http://www.restorethegulf.gov/relea...ns-more-7000-square-miles-gulf-mexico-fishing
 
Re: NOAA opens more Gulf waters to fishing

Re: NOAA opens more Gulf waters to fishing

US Reopens 8,403 More Square Miles Of Gulf To Fishing

NASDAQ - NEWSWIRES

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reopened 8,403 more square miles of the Gulf of Mexico to commercial and recreational fishing, leaving just the area immediately surrounding the Macondo well still off limits.
Just 1,041 square miles remain closed. At the peak level in early June, 37% of U.S. federal waters in the Gulf, or 88,522 square miles, was closed to fishing.

[...]
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-ma...ens-8403-more-square-miles-of-gulf-to-fishing


ALSO SEE:

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/11/gulf-area-closed-to-fishing-continues-to-shrink-1/
 
NOAA: All federal waters of the Gulf once closed to fishing due to spill now open

NOAA: All federal waters of the Gulf once closed to fishing due to spill now open

More than 1,000 square miles opened today

April 19, 2011

NOAA today reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 1,041 square miles of Gulf waters immediately surrounding the Deepwater Horizon wellhead, just east of Louisiana. This is the twelfth and final reopening in federal waters since July 22, and opens all of the areas in Federal waters formerly closed to fishing due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

This reopening was announced after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and under a reopening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011: The last area in federal waters closed to fishing due to the oil spill reopens (See map above).
Download Here (Credit: NOAA)

?I am pleased to announce that all federal waters affected by the spill are now open to all fishing,? said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. ?I thank fishermen and the public for their patience and FDA for its support and cooperation throughout this process while we worked diligently to ensure the integrity of Gulf seafood.?

NOAA sampled this area between November 11 and November 14, 2010, March 12 and March 16, 2011, and March 28 and April 1, 2011, for potentially affected finfish, including tuna, swordfish, and escolar. Sensory analyses of 86 finfish samples and chemical analyses of 112 finfish samples in eight composites followed the methodology and procedures in the reopening protocol, with sensory analysis finding no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis for oil-related compounds and dispersants well below the levels of concern. All test results are publicly available.

As announced on October 29, NOAA and FDA developed and implemented a chemical test to detect the presence of dispersants in fish, oysters, crabs and shrimp. The level of concern for dispersants is 100 parts per million for finfish and 500 parts per million for shrimp. The test can reliably detect Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS) at levels of 2000 times below the lowest level of concern. The results of chemical testing showed that 99 percent of samples contained no detectable dispersant residues, and the few samples that did contain dispersant residues showed levels more than 1000 times lower than FDA levels of concern.

?Throughout this process, public health and safety has been our primary goal,? said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. ?This has been an extraordinary team effort and the reopening of these federal waters serves as a dramatic example of what cooperation between federal agencies can accomplish.?

NOAA continues to work closely with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure seafood safety. Thousands of test results, all publicly available, prove Gulf seafood is safe from oil and dispersant contamination.
The total area reopened today is about 0.4 percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and 100 percent of the formerly closed area, as last modified on February 2, 2011. No oil or sheen has been documented in the area since August 4. At its peak, the closed area was 88,522 square miles, or 37 percent of Federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

NOAA?s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us on Facebook.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2011/20110419_gulfreopening.html
 
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