Skip to main content

Florida Reopens State Waters Off Escambia County

Florida Reopens State Waters Off Escambia County
Florida Reopens State Waters Off Escambia County

From The Outdoor Wire

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reopened state waters offshore of Escambia County to the harvest of saltwater fish, at 12:01 a.m. July 31. The FWC had closed this area on June 14 as a precautionary measure due to possible impacts of oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

"This is great news for all Floridians and particularly our coastal communities, where fishing is such an important component of their economy and way of life," said Nick Wiley, executive director of the FWC. "Reopening these Florida waters to fishing is a positive step forward in Florida's recovery from the BP oil spill. We can all be confident that fish caught in Florida waters are healthy and great to eat."

The FWC is reopening this 23-mile area of state waters because careful laboratory analysis of fish from the area confirms they are safe and oil-free. The sampling and laboratory analyses were conducted under the supervision of the United States Food and Drug Administration and NOAA. They passed all standards for safe consumption. Oil has not been observed in the closed area of state waters for some time and was being closely monitored by state officials using aerial over-flights and visual observations on the water. The reopened area to the harvest of saltwater fish includes state waters from the beaches out 9 nautical miles into the Gulf from the Alabama line east to the Pensacola Beach water tower. Oysters, clams and mussels were not included in the closure and remain open to harvest in this area. The area will remain closed to the harvest of shrimp and crabs, pending additional testing.

More information on FWC's response to the BP oil spill is available online at MyFWC.com/OilSpill.

Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Continue to monitor the Gulf Oil Spill here on OutdoorChannel.com




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Gear

Lew's Custom Pro Gen 3

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Other

Light up the Salt

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Fishing

Caring for the Catch

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Fishing

Snook on the Hook

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Guns

TriStar Cobra III Field Pump Super Compact .410

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Gear

Federal Premium Freight Train Copper Sabot Slug

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Fishing

Saltwater Setup

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Fishing

Jacks to the Max

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Baits & Tackle

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Reels

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Gear

Beilue's Best from ICAST 2024: Rods

Saltwater gamefish like sailfish, mahi-mahi and jack crevalle are known for their blistering runs, acrobatic jumps and p...
Fishing

The Fight is On

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Game & Fish App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use