The state on Wednesday closed more of Mississippi’s waters to commercial and recreational fishing after a ribbon of emulsified oil and tar mousse was found between Ship and Horn island in an area called Dog Keys Pass.
The closure — which includes fishing for all species of finfish, crabs, shrimp and oysters — was announced by directors of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, who said they were acting in an abundance of caution.
The new closure area includes newly added Mississippi territorial marine waters south of 30 degrees 19 minutes north latitude and east of 88 degrees 56 minutes west longitude to the East Biloxi Channel; and includes previously closed Mississippi territorial marine waters lying both south and east of the southern shoreline of Horn Island; lying both south of 30 degrees 18 minutes north latitude and east of 88 degrees 39 minutes west longitude; and lying both south of the CSX Railroad and east of the Bayou Casotte Ship Channel to the Mississippi-Alabama state boundary.
Individuals retaining any marine species from this closed area will be required to immediately return them to the waters. 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.
Some shrimping areas will close as a result of this action. Call 1-866-WE-TRAWL
(1-866-938-7295) for more information.
See the maps: To see the two maps released by DEQ and DMR — showing areas closed to fishing and shrimping — click here.
