BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Federal Fishery Closure Frequently Asked Questions Prepared by Louisiana Sea Grant Law & Policy Program June 2010 [ Download printer-friendly PDF ] Why is NOAA Fisheries Service prohibiting fishing in certain areas?
• NOAA Fisheries Service prohibited fishing as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and assure consumer confidence in Gulf of Mexico seafood. • NOAA Fisheries Service strongly advises fishermen not to fish in areas where oil or oil sheens (very thin layers of floating oil) are present, even if those areas are not currently closed to fishing. • A process to expedite modifications to the fishing closed area in the Gulf of Mexico has been established. Boundaries of the fishing closed area can be modified daily, based on dynamic oil spill conditions.
