June 27, 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 east of the Gulfport Ship channel and south of the following described line: starting at the northern most point of the Gulfport Ship Channel; thence eastward following the meanderings of the shoreline to the western abutment CSX railroad bridge in Biloxi Bay following the railroad bridge to the eastern abutment of the CSX railroad bridge; thence southeasterly following the meanderings for the shoreline to a point due north of Marsh Point in Davis Bayou; thence due south to Marsh Point; thence southeasterly following the meanderings of the shoreline to the point of intersection with the 30° 21’ North Latitude on the east side of Bellefontaine Point; thence due east following the 30° 21’ North Latitude line until it intersects the Bayou Casotte Ship Channel; thence due north to the CSX railroad; thence northeast along the CSX railroad to a point on the Mississippi/Alabama state boundary.
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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