NOAA Reopens More Federal Waters Off Louisiana

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is reopening some federal waters off the western Louisiana coast. NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco says samples from those waters have passed smell and chemical testing for traces of oil and dispersants. She says monitoring will continue to check for effects on the younger species.

"It might have already affected the young, juvenile stages. And we remain concerned about the impacts that that might have and are continuing to evaluate that very, very closely."

Lubchenco says about 20 percent of federal waters remain off-limits to fishing. Testing continues at dockside and at markets. She says waters off Alabama and the Florida Panhandle are still closed while testing continues in those areas.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.