Wide swath of fishing areas reopened in Louisiana

[DCBob]

from LA Times..

Louisiana fisheries officials reopened wide swaths of state coastal waters to commercial fishing late Thursday, permitting fishermen to catch finfish and shrimp off most of the eastern and southwestern coasts. Commercial harvests of crabs and oysters are still banned.

State waters off southern Louisiana -- essentially south of the Mississippi River delta, including Barataria and Terrebonne bays -- remain closed, as beaches and marshes have continued to see oil wash up on those shores and into sensitive habitats. Part of the Chandeleur Sound, near the Louisiana-Mississippi border, also remains closed to commercial fishermen.

The decision was made in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, after extensive government tests, both by chemical analysis and human sniffing. A decision on reopening fishing for crabs was postponed because FDA testing for those crustaceans take longer to process. Maps on open and closed areas can be found on the website of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/07/gulf-oil-spill-wide-swath-of-fisheries-reopened-.html

This sounds like good news. I am bit surprised they have decided to reopen so quickly. They may be a bit more concerned about the fishing business than food safety.

I wonder how that "sniffing" test works.

[Oregone]

1. I wouldn't touch any of that stuff

I just wouldn't be comfortable with it--sorry if that offends anyone. Im glad the Pacific region is plentiful at the moment.

[DCBob]

2. I suspect the Pacific region uses similar tests to determine seafood safety.

but I do agree.. I would be leary of eating anything from the Gulf at this moment.

[Oregone]

5. I run my own test

If its a salmon on the end of my pole, safe enough to eat for dinner tonight. Most likely, he didn't have oil for lunch.

[DCBob]

6. sounds good. Im jealous!

enjoy!

[Oregone]

7. I intend to!

Yeah, not everyone has the opportunity. But even if it wasn't beach season here, I would just take some time off fish for a bit unless I knew where it was coming from. Im not implying this stuff is tainted...Im simply just not comfortable with it personally. I want some long term, in-depth independent verification that something isn't amiss. Oil is nasty stuff (as is dispersants), and it doesn't take a whole lot to cause damage.

I know a lot of people may feel like me. I know this may impact jobs. I can do nothing but be sorry about that.

[UTUSN]

3. Calling JINDAL & the weight-challenged parrish prez: Can you stop pissing on OBAMA now?!1 n/t

[Scurrilous]

4. Great news.

Thanks. :thumbsup: