Many still concerned about Gulf seafood safety

HERNANDO COUNTY, Fl. - While some, including the President, have declared fishing safe in the Gulf of Mexico, lawmakers and fishermen still have major concerns.

Kathy Birren and her family own commercial fishing boats based in Hernando County. Since the oil spill, she has become a spokesperson for fishermen all around the gulf.

She doesn't think the Gulf is clean of oil yet. "I do believe the American public knows better than to say everything is ok. And that nobody waved a magic wand and made all the oil and disbursements disappear," said Birren.

"The fishermen have become very panicked, because they are being put between a rock and a hard place," she said. "If they don't go fishing, then BP isn't liable to pay them any money. But if they do, they are going to be risking public health with the shrimp and fish they are bringing in."

Birren has taken part in protests in the panhandle. She wants more thorough testing so fishermen can feel more secure in knowing that the seafood they are now allowed to catch is safe. In the meantime, she says, certain areas of the Gulf need to be closed again.

"Nobody is going to trust public seafood if people start getting sick," said Birren.

Capitol Hill lawmakers also want assurance seafood is safe.

"The FDA knows little about the long term impact that these compounds will have on marine life," said Congressman Edward Markey (D) of Massachusetts.

But federal researchers say their tests have shown no contamination.

Paul Anastas of the Environmental Protection Agency said government agencies are doing what they believe is adequate. "Beyond our ongoing work to assure that currently marketed seafood is safe, FDA in conjunction with NOAA and the Gulf states has developed a strict protocol for re-opening closed fisheries in a manner that will ensure the safety of seafood from these previously closed areas," he said.

For now, Birren's company is fishing in South Florida, where she believes there is less risk.
She hopes all fishermen can soon get back to business as usual. But until then, she says, they need do whatever is necessary now to protect their business in the future.