PRESS RELEASE LDWF Modifies Closures in Portions of the Barataria and Terrebonne Basins and Territorial Seas to Recreational and Commercial Fishing BATON ROUGE (May 22, 2010) - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham announced the following additional closures to recreational and commercial fishing activities in portions of state inside waters in lower Jefferson, Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes and territorial seas effective immediately, today, May 22, 2010. These closures were implemented due to confirmed reports of oil.
Barataria Basin The portion of state inside waters south of 29 degrees 30 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and north of the inside/outside shrimp line, from the western shore of the Mississippi River westward to the western shore of Bayou Lafourche Terrebonne Basin The portion of state inside waters south of 29 degrees 21 minutes 00 seconds north latitude and north of the inside/outside shrimp line from the western shore of Bayou Lafourche westward to 91 degrees 20 minutes 20 seconds west longitude. Territorial Seas That portion of state outside waters seaward of the inside/outside shrimp line from 91 degrees 00 minutes 00 seconds west longitude westward to 91 degrees 20 minutes 20 seconds west longitude. 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.
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