Recreational fishing in Biloxi marshes, Chandeleur Islands closed because of Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Recreational fishing in much of Southeast Louisiana, including the Chandeleur Islands and the Biloxi marshes, was closed April 30 as oil from the Deepwater Horizon disaster edged into to the coast.

Closed are all coastal waters from the Mississippi state line to the Mississippi River’s South Pass below Venice. The only exceptions are that Lakes Borgne, Pontchartrain and Maurepas remain opened.

“I signed this emergency closure today as a proactive effort to prevent any oil-tainted fish, shrimp or crab from being caught and thus consumed,” Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham said. “Now is the time to act as we see what the impacts may be to Louisiana’s fragile ecosystems.”