Gone Fishing!

Fishing is now allowed in a big section of the Gulf of Mexico.
We are talking 5100 square miles of gulf waters.
That's about 42 miles south of our shore lines.
Governor Bob Riley joined many others in our area Thursday who said they were happy to hear about the lifting of the ban.
He said, "We had a conference call early this morning with NOAA. We had a conference call at the same time with the White House, and we said this is extremely important, but we don't want to rush the process. If you're not ready, don't make it."
Casi Callaway with Mobile Baykeeper said she wants to make sure waters aren't being re-opened just because no one has seen oil on the surface.
Callaway said, "If we're going to open up the grounds for shrimping and seafood, they must be thoroughly tested and vetted. My second question, though, is, 'Are the fishers and shrimpers going to eat the fish and shrimp they catch?' If they'll eat it, I'll eat it."
Governor Riley added, "What is pre-eminent in this discussion now is that people all across this country understand that what comes out of the Gulf Of Mexico is one hundred percent safe."
Charter boat captains and deckhands are celebrating the news.
When asked if there was still enough time this summer to make some money, Donnie Matsler, a deckhand for the Wright One Charters, said, "Oh, yeah. At least, there's a little recovery here for us now."
Greer Poss and Douglas Holmes just got back from fishing on the east end of Dauphin Island Thursday afternoon.
Poss said, "I think its good. I think its going to be good for fishing."
Holmes said, "Just everybody come back down here and start spending money again and get the thing going again."
About 43,000 square miles of federal waters remain closed.
That's mostly off Louisiana and stretching into the open gulf.