Houston - United States officials closed commercial and recreational fishing for a minimum of 10 days in federal waters affected by the massive oil spill in the US Gulf of Mexico, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on Sunday.
The affected waters are largely between Louisiana State waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to Florida's Pensacola Bay, the agency said.
"Balancing economic and health concerns, this order closes just those areas that are affected by oil," NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, said in a statement. "There should be no health risk in seafood currently in the marketplace."
There are fish, crabs, oyster and shrimp near the spill and officials are working to prohibit harvesting from affected areas, NOAA said. - Reuters