Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham announced the following additional closure to recreational and commercial fishing activities in a portion of state inside waters east of Grand Isle effective immediately, today, May 22, 2010.
Inside Waters Closure
The portion of inside waters from the eastern shore of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Harvest Area 12 near Lake Grand Ecaille westward to the western shore of the Barataria Waterway as marked by the green buoy line and south of 29 degrees 23 minutes and 50 seconds north latitude.
Precautionary closures of recreational and commercial fishing have been implemented based on the best information the Secretary of the Department receives from field biologists, staff and trajectory models from NOAA.
Once reports of oil are received, LDWF initiates a field survey and immediate seafood testing in the suspected areas. Closures are subsequently made with the intent to be as safe as possible, while not closing any fishing areas unnecessarily. As test results come back clearing the area, effected waters are then reopened.
LDWF continues to work closely with DHH in an effort to assess all opportunities to resume normal fishing activities on Louisiana's coast and guarantee the safety of Louisiana's seafood.
All other closures remain in place. To view closure map click here: www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/news/fishing-closure.jpg.
For more information related to the oil spill, visit www.emergency.louisiana.gov. Connect with us on www.facebook.com/GOHSEP and on Twitter as @GOHSEP. View photos from the state's response efforts at http ://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep.
