The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is closing commercial and recreational fishing from Louisiana to parts of the Florida Panhandle because of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
In a news release sent Sunday afternoon, NOAA said the closure begins immediately and will last for at least 10 days. NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco says government scientists are taking samples from the waters near the spill to determine whether there is any danger.
The fishing ban extends between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida's Pensacola Bay. Fishing is still allowed in Mobile Bay and within a few miles of the coastline.
Crews have so far had little success stemming the flow from the ruptured well on the sea floor off Louisiana or removing oil from the surface.
Click here to see a map of area included in the fishing ban.
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