Escambia waters reopened for fishing

PENSACOLA, Florida (WALA) - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reopened state waters offshore of Escambia County for fishing Saturday. The area was closed June 14 due to the impacts of oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“This is great news for all Floridians and particularly our coastal communities, where fishing is such an important component of their economy and way of life,” said Nick Wiley, executive director of the FWC. “Reopening these Florida waters to fishing is a positive step forward in Florida’s recovery from the BP oil spill. We can all be confident that fish caught in Florida waters are healthy and great to eat.”

Laboratory analysis of fish from the area confirms they are safe and oil-free. The testing conducted under the supervision of the United States Food and Drug Administration and NOAA. They passed all standards for safe consumption.

The reopened area includes state waters from the beaches out nine nautical miles into the Gulf from the Alabama line east to the Pensacola Beach water tower.

Oysters, clams and mussels were not included in the closure and remain open to harvest in this area. The area will remain closed to the harvest of shrimp and crabs, pending additional testing.