NOAA Reopens Some Gulf Of Mexico Waters To Fishing

24th Jun 2010 01:01

DOW JONES NEWSWIRES The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Wednesday reopened about 8,000 square miles of the Gulf of Mexico to fishing, while keeping about 32% of waters closed to anglers due to the oil spill. The closed area now covers 78,597 square miles, a four-point reduction from Monday. NOAA said it reopened the area for fishing after finding that no oil was present. The area was previously closed "as a precaution" based on an earlier forecast that oil might enter the area, NOAA said. But recent satellite imagery, radar and aerial data indicate that oil hasn't moved into the area, the agency said. The federal closure doesn't apply to state waters. NOAA predicted Tuesday that floating oil could reach coastal areas between Ship Island, Miss., and Panama City, Fla., in the next few days. Persistent easterly and southeasterly winds could bring oil to the Chandeleur Islands, Breton Sound and the Mississippi Delta later this week, the agency said. NOAA has banned fishing in areas where oil has been observed to ensure that Gulf seafood will remain safe for consumers. The agency is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to implement a broad seafood-sampling plan, which includes testing seafood from inside and outside the closure area and at docksides and markets. The spill began in April when the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig that BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) leased from Transocean Ltd. (RIG, RIGN.EB) exploded and sank, killing 11 workers. BP has had some success in collecting oil spewing from the broken Macondo well, after earlier attempts at containing the leak failed. -By Cassandra Sweet, Dow Jones Newswires; 415-439-6468; [email protected] Order free Annual Report for BP plc Visit http://djnewswires.ar.wilink.com/?link=BP or call 1-888-301-0513 (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 23, 2010 20:01 ET (00:01 GMT)