Spearfishing and the Oil Spill: NOAA Notice

[Hetland]

NOAA is filing a rule with the Federal Register today that will establish a process to expedite changes to the areas closed to fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, and to provide daily updates to the public about these changes. Beginning today, area boundaries could be modified daily, based on where and how fast the oil spill is moving. NOAA will provide daily updates (including the coordinates of the revised closed area) at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov by 12 p.m. EST, with any changes to the closed area effective as of 6 o.m. EST the same day. The six-hour window is meant to give fishermen an advance notice of areas that will soon open for fishing. A status message will be updated daily, even when closed areas have not changed. The messages will also be available via fishery bulletins, NOAA Weather Radio, and by calling NOAA Fisheries southeast regional office at 727-824-5305.

Adjustments to the closure area will take into account angler and consumer safety, while keeping open those areas not affected by the oil spill.

NOAA closes more federal fishing waters as oil spill spreads | al.com

NOAA closes more federal fishing waters as oil spill spreads
By Jeff Dute
May 11, 2010, 4:45PM

Due to shifting currents and winds, rapid changes in the location and extent of oil gushing out of the Deepwater Horizon well occurred, requiring NOAA Fisheries Service to update the dimensions of the closed area in federal waters.

More federal waters are now closed because of the spreading oil, but offshore fishing grounds still remain accessible to fishermen in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

Federal waters that remain open to fishing off those states' coasts run northeast of a line beginning where 30°01'N intersects Louisiana's 3-mile state waters line, then a line southeast to 29°50'N, 88°14'W, and north of an easterly line from there to 29°50'N, 87°28'W, then northeast of a southeast running line from there to 29°27'N, 86°31'W.

State waters in all three states remained open to fishing as of Tuesday afternoon.

 

[Wookie]

Maybe I'm dense, but what does a total fishing ban have anything to do with spearfishing in particular? Were you planning perhaps to dive through the slick to spear your favorite dinner?

 

[Hetland]

Maybe I'm dense, but what does a total fishing ban have anything to do with spearfishing in particular? Were you planning perhaps to dive through the slick to spear your favorite dinner?

What total fishing ban?

The Gulf is a big place. Right now about 7% of it is closed. Today I can spearfish in Pensacola, tomorrow may be different.

 

[Dr Dive]

Hetland is on the mark. We are trying to get folks to see through the headlines and sidelines and realize that the oil is not here and the Gulf is still, for the vast majority of its expanse, open for business. We don't have a slick here.

We do not in any way want to minimize the tragedy and crisis that is unfolding to our west, but we do want folks to make informed decisions and take advantage of the clear water, great vis and wonderful conditions that still persist in the Pensacola area. Please, come see us.

Capt. Jim
Dr Dive
www.drdive.com
drdive@drdive.com
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850-932-6602
617-943-5553

 

[Wookie]

What total fishing ban?

The Gulf is a big place. Right now about 7% of it is closed. Today I can spearfish in Pensacola, tomorrow may be different.

The way I read the NOAA advisory, if you are in a closed area, the fishing ban is total, regardless of gear type. That total fishing ban.

Sorry if I missed the point, I concede that I am dense. Maybe the title should have read "Come spearfishing in Pensacola. We don't gots no oil here". Or something like that.

 

[Hetland]

The way I read the NOAA advisory, if you are in a closed area, the fishing ban is total, regardless of gear type. That total fishing ban.

Sorry if I missed the point, I concede that I am dense. Maybe the title should have read "Come spearfishing in Pensacola. We don't gots no oil here". Or something like that.

Ahh, understood. I'm looking at the half-full glass. Should have titled it: "Check here for where you can still fish"