June 29, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Revised Precautionary Closure: Additional Areas of Mississippi
Marine Waters Closed to Commercial and Recreational Fishing
BILOXI, Miss. – The executive directors of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, in an abundance of caution, are closing an additional portion of Mississippi’s territorial marine waters, effective immediately to all commercial and recreational fishing, including all species of finfish, crabs, shrimp and oysters.
All Mississippi territorial waters within the boundaries of the described line are closed: starting at the intersection of 89° 13’ west longitude on the shoreline; due south to the state line; easterly following the state line until it intersects 89° 09.22’ west longitude; due north to the northwest tip of Cat Island; following the shoreline to a point on the southeast side of cat island at 89° 05’ west longitude; due southern boundary of the state; easterly following the southern boundary of states waters until the intersection with the Mississippi/Alabama State line; due north to the intersection of the CSX railroad at of the Mississippi/Alabama state boundary; southwest along the CSX railroad to a point due north of the Bayou Casotte Ship Channel; due south to 30° 21’ north latitude line; west following the 30° 21’ north latitude line to point of intersection on the east side of Bellefontaine Point; westerly following the meandering of the shoreline to the tip of Marsh Point; due north to a point on the shoreline; following the meanderings of the shoreline to eastern abutment of the CSX railroad bridge; following the CSX southeasterly to the western abutment CSX railroad bridge in Biloxi Bay; following the meanderings of the shoreline to the point of intersection of 89° 13’ West Longitude.
Any individuals retaining any marine species from this closed area will be required to immediately return them to the waters. There is no catch and release fishing allowed in the closed area.
This precautionary closure is a result of oil sightings in this general area and the potential impacts on Mississippi’s coastal marine resources. The continuous monitoring of this situation is to ensure public safety and protection of Mississippi’s coastal resources.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
Attached: Map
—END—  |