It's Safe … It’s Plentiful … It’s AvailableNews coverage of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been extensive, and rightly so. This is a major event, and everyone is deeply concerned about its impacts on the region’s environment, wildlife and coastal tourism. As a State of Florida official, obviously I am deeply concerned about these impacts as well.
I am also concerned about misconceptions that are circulating about the safety and availability of Florida seafood. Because of these false impressions, our state’s commercial fishing industry has suffered a severe economic blow. I hope that by setting the record straight we can provide consumers with a clearer picture of the current situation and ease their apprehension.
First, Florida seafood products are safe and plentiful. They have not been affected by the oil spill. More than 90 percent of the Gulf of Mexico is untouched by oil, and our commercial fishermen continue to harvest products from these clean waters.
Second, we are continually monitoring water samples off Florida’s coast. If and when Florida waters are impacted by the spill, we will take immediate action to close the waters to commercial seafood harvesting. We would never jeopardize consumer safety by harvesting and selling any product that was not safe and wholesome. Never.
Third, our commercial fishermen take great pride in the quality reputation that Florida seafood products have earned. Quite frankly, Florida seafood is something special -- and we would never put any product on the market that would tarnish that hard-earned reputation.
I hope that you will return delicious Florida seafood products to your table. Shrimp, oysters, blue crab, grouper -- and all the other many fine seafood products that we harvest -- are safe and plentiful. You have our word on that.
And, if you would like to come to Florida to enjoy that seafood meal, we would love to have you visit. Not only would our commercial fishermen thank you, but our hotel and restaurant workers would be most appreciative as well.
Sincerely,
I am also concerned about misconceptions that are circulating about the safety and availability of Florida seafood. Because of these false impressions, our state’s commercial fishing industry has suffered a severe economic blow. I hope that by setting the record straight we can provide consumers with a clearer picture of the current situation and ease their apprehension.
First, Florida seafood products are safe and plentiful. They have not been affected by the oil spill. More than 90 percent of the Gulf of Mexico is untouched by oil, and our commercial fishermen continue to harvest products from these clean waters.
Second, we are continually monitoring water samples off Florida’s coast. If and when Florida waters are impacted by the spill, we will take immediate action to close the waters to commercial seafood harvesting. We would never jeopardize consumer safety by harvesting and selling any product that was not safe and wholesome. Never.
Third, our commercial fishermen take great pride in the quality reputation that Florida seafood products have earned. Quite frankly, Florida seafood is something special -- and we would never put any product on the market that would tarnish that hard-earned reputation.
I hope that you will return delicious Florida seafood products to your table. Shrimp, oysters, blue crab, grouper -- and all the other many fine seafood products that we harvest -- are safe and plentiful. You have our word on that.
And, if you would like to come to Florida to enjoy that seafood meal, we would love to have you visit. Not only would our commercial fishermen thank you, but our hotel and restaurant workers would be most appreciative as well.
Sincerely,
Charles H. Bronson
Commissioner of Agriculture
Commissioner of Agriculture
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