No! The duration of the spill coupled with graphic images of oil gushing frm the well left the impression that the entire Gulf of Mexico was covered in oil. In reality, only 15 percent of the Gulf was closed to fishing during the peak of the spill in early June. That percentage has decreased to 8 percent. Moreover, the closed areas are delineated not only based on the location of visible oil sheens but also on models projecting where the oil might go. As a standard practice, the National Marine Fisheries Service provides a wide margin of safety when delineating areas closed to fishing. In considering whether an area should be reopenened, NMFS not only verifies that oil sheens have not been observed in the area for 30 days but also considers the results of comprehensive sampling of seafood products from these areas. A closed area re-opened only after all samples pass strict sensory and analytical testing.
This FAQ was authored by Russ Miget who is a member of the Extension/Sea Grant Gulfwide seafood safety team responding to the oil spill. Russ can be contacted at russ.miget@tamucc.edu

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