State and federal agencies are re-opening state waters to commercial and recreational fishing and shrimping this evening at 6:01 p.m., but the waters will remain closed to crabbing and oyster fishing.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, made the announcement this afternoon.
The re-opening is being implemented after the completion of extensive sampling and testing conducted by the state and federal agencies. The FDA has advised that, after extensive sensory testing and chemical analysis, tissue samples tested indicate that seafood from these previously closed areas north of the barrier islands remains safe for consumption.
Agenices are awaiting results from the more complex testing process for crab and oysters before re-opening these fisheries.
Read the announcement: To read the complete announcement of the re-opening, click here.
CORRECTION: Council to meet Tuesday night only
The Biloxi City Council will meet once on Tuesday — at 6 p.m. An earlier Bmail was based an incorrect agenda. To see the corrected council agenda,