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 <http://www.fda.gov/Food/ucm217598.htm> 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:
