According to Jane Lubchenco, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) administrator, “Consumer safety is NOAA’s primary concern, which is why we developed rigorous safety standards in conjunction with the FDA and the Gulf states to ensure that seafood is safe in the reopened area, we are confident that Gulf fish from this area is safe to eat and pleased that recreational and commercial fisherman can fish these waters again.”

 

153 fish have been sampled, including grouper, snapper and tuna by NOAA officials and all have been found with “no detectable oil or dispersant odors or flavors, and results of chemical analysis well below the levels of concern.”