Federal government, states to use 1 safety standard for seafood coming out of Gulf of Mexico

Feds, Gulf states to use 1 standard for seafood

NEW ORLEANS — Vice President Joe Biden says 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 Tuesday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Food and Drug Administration say the effort designed to reopen closed fishing areas as soon as possible.

He says “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.”

Federal officials say they have been testing fish for oil compounds so they can ensure areas cleared of danger are reopened to fishing as soon as possible.