More federal waters opened to fishing

(WALA) - NOAA has reopened 3,114 square miles of Gulf waters offshore of the western Florida panhandle 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.

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.

"We are pleased to continue moving forward with reopening portions of Gulf federal waters to recreational and commercial fishing," said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. "I'd like to thank everyone for their patience throughout this process, as we work to ensure seafood safety remains our primary objective."

At its closest point, the area to be reopened is about 55 miles northeast of the Deepwater/BP wellhead. The total area is about one percent of federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico.

Between August 20 and August 24, NOAA sampled the area for finfish such as tuna, swordfish, and mahi mahi.

NOAA will continue to take samples for testing from the recently reopened area and the agency has also implemented dockside sampling to test fish caught throughout the Gulf of Mexico by commercial fishermen.

The closed area now covers 39,885 square miles, or about 17 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf, which was 37 percent at its height on June 2.

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

Matt Barrentine will have more from local fishermen tonight on Fox10tv.com.