FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2010
Mississippi Waters Are Open, Mississippi Seafood Is Safe to Consume
BILOXI, Miss. – Recreational and commercial fishing in Mississippi waters is open, including charter fishing and recreational and commercial crabbing. While NOAA Fisheries Services has restricted fishing through May 17 in the federal waters off the Mississippi Sound, the closure does not affect Mississippi waters.
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) and Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) staffs continue to monitor and test Mississippi’s waters daily. The MDMR in coordination with the Mississippi Department of Health are working together to ensure the safety of all seafood products in Mississippi. The MDMR wants to assure consumers that Mississippi seafood is safe to buy and eat.
According to the Mississippi State Department of Health, any fish available for commercial sale – for example, fish in grocery stores – comes from non-contaminated waters. Due to regulatory processes already in place, it would be highly unlikely for unsafe fish to make its way onto the commercial market.
“We’ve been working very closely with the Mississippi Department of Health and all Mississippi seafood is safe to purchase and consume,” said Joe Jewell, DMR’s Assistant Director of Marine Fisheries.
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Lauren Thompson
Public Relations Director
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
1141 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530
w-228-523-4053
c-228-219-5226
f-228-374-5457
lauren.thompson@dmr.ms.gov
www.dmr.ms.gov |