June 30, 2010
US Federal and Gulf states to use single standard for seafood
Vice President Joe Biden said the federal government has reached an agreement with Gulf Coast states to set safety levels for seafood coming out of the Gulf of Mexico.
Biden visited the region on Tuesday (June 29). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the effort designed to reopen closed fishing areas as soon as possible.
"We want one single standard so you all don't have to worry about where you fish, if you can fish and if the waters are open," Biden said.
Federal officials said they have been testing fish for oil compounds so that they can ensure the areas are safe and cleared of danger before reopening them to fishing as soon as possible.
