Gulf Seafood Tested, Safe To Eat Says NOAA – Seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, including Shrimp, grouper and tuna are reportedly safe to eat – for now according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/NOAA. Nearly 400 samples of commonly consumed species have been caught in open waters have been tested to see if they could potentially cause any problems when consumed.
Officials have said that so far none of the sea life has shown concerning levels of contaminants. Each sample includes a number of fish from the same species that were caught from different areas of the Gulf.
The study started within the first few days of the oil spill, and will continue until the spill is completely cleaned up. The agency is looking for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are the most carcinogenic components of crude oil.
The first line of defense in keeping the tainted seafood off of the market shelves is proper testing. If we know what kinds of sea life are most affected by the spill, and in which reasons, we have a better idea of how to go about looking for contaminated sea life. However, the government is not relying on testing alone to ensure that the seafood remains safe.
“We couldn’t possibly have enough samples to make assurances that fish is safe. The reason we have confidence in the seafood is not because of the testing, it’s because of the preventive measures that are in place,” said Don Kraemer, the FDA’s leader Gulf seafood safety effort.
The government is also planning surprise inspections at a number of docks around the gulf Coast, checking for contaminated seafood. They know that they cannot be everywhere, but by making surprise visits, they can ensure that everyone prepares for their arrival.