Yahoo News 3 Feb 11;
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US officials announced plans Wednesday to reopen a large section of the Gulf of Mexico to royal red shrimping, more than two months after a precautionary closure.
The 4,213 square miles (10,900 square kilometers) of federal waters off Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were closed to such deep-water fishing on November 24 after a commercial shrimper discovered tar balls in his net.
An analysis to determine whether the tar came from last year's massive BP oil spill was inconclusive, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which said the area would be reopened on Thursday.
"Further fish and shrimp sampling and testing from the area showed no oil or dispersant contamination," NOAA said in a statement.
"This reopening was announced after consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration. All commercial and recreational fishing is allowed within this area."
The BP disaster, which began April 20, 2010 with a deadly blast aboard the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, sullied hundreds of miles (kilometers) of coastline from Texas to Florida, killing wildlife and devastating key local industries such as tourism and fishing.
Some 205 million gallons of oil flowed into the Gulf in the worst environmental disaster in US history.
Over 88,000 square miles (229,000 square kilometers) were once closed to fishing due to concerns over the devastating spill, which continues to impact the Gulf's environment and economy.
Most of the region has been reopened to fishing activities.
"Extensive testing of royal red shrimp and other fish from this area revealed they are safe to eat," said Roy Crabtree, an assistant NOAA administrator.
"Seafood safety and consumer confidence remain a priority for NOAA, and we will continue monitoring Gulf seafood for as long as necessary to ensure its integrity."
Royal red shrimp are caught in Gulf waters deeper than 600 feet (180 meters) and are the only shrimp species targeted with trawls at these depths. The more common Gulf shrimp species are brown, white and pink shrimp, and are caught in waters less than 300 feet (90 meters) deep.
