June 25, 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.
The closed area line is described as follows: starting at the northernmost point of the Gulfport Ship Channel; eastward following the meanderings of the shoreline to a point on the shore due north of the western tip of Deer Island; then due south to the westernmost tip of Deer Island; then southeasterly following the southern shore of Deer Island to 88 degrees 51 minutes west longitude; due south to 30 degrees 20 minutes north latitude; due east along the 30 degree 20 minute north latitude line to Bayou Casotte Ship Channel; due north to the CSX railroad; northeast along the CSX railroad to a point on the Mississippi/Alabama state boundary; due south following the Mississippi/Alabama state boundary to the Mississippi/Federal waters boundary; westerly following the Mississippi/Federal waters boundary to the Ship Island Bar Channel; northwest following the Ship Island Bar Channel; northwesterly following the channel until it becomes the Gulfport Ship Channel; back to the point of origin at the northernmost point of the Gulfport Ship Channel.
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.
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Lisa Damiano Jones
Public Relations Representative
Mississippi Department of Marine Resources
Office: 228-523-4138
Mobile: 228-297-9870
Fax: 228-374-5457 |