BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have ordered the reopening of all Mississippi territorial waters, including those south of the barrier islands, to all commercial and recreational finfish and shrimp fishing activities that were part of the precautionary oil spill closures. This order takes effect at 5:00 p.m. today. All commercial and recreational crab and oyster fishing will remain closed in the affected areas.
The reopening is being implemented after the completion of extensive sampling and testing conducted by the MDMR, MDEQ, NOAA and the FDA. The FDA has advised that, following extensive sensory testing and chemical analysis, tissue samples tested indicate that seafood from these previously closed areas north of the barrier islands remains safe for consumption.
Due to a more complex testing process for crab and oyster, these fisheries will remain prohibited in the closed areas. Crab and oyster tissue samples are currently being tested, and as soon as data indicates they are safe for consumption, additional areas will be opened for these fisheries.
All waters north of the barrier islands that are normally open to shrimping will be open. However, MDMR reminds shrimp fishermen who use skimmer trawls that a 30-minute tow time is in effect, unless they have a properly installed turtle excluder device.
All other regulations specific to each particular fishery will remain in full force and effect. Anglers are asked to avoid disturbing boom and oil spill-related activities.
Source: Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
