Reopening Gulf Waters off the Florida Panhandle Expected to Help Struggling Fishing Industry

Online, August 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - (Destin, FL) National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Administrator (NOAA) Jane Lubchenco scheduled a news conference Tuesday at a marina in Panama City Beach to announce the reopening of federal waters off the Panhandle. Federal waters, which begin 10 miles offshore, have been closed to commercial and recreational fishing due to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

"This couldn't have come at a better time" says Destin business owner Chris Thomas. His company, Destin Vacation Boat Rentals, offers fishing and pontoon boats for rent. "We've seen a big increase in the number of inquiries about fishing since the well was capped," he said. Thomas says that the area has seen an increase in tourism compared to August of previous years, but many industries, and especially the fishing industry, are still struggling. He points out that one of the area's biggest fishing tournaments is scheduled to begin: the 62 annual Destin Fishing Rodeo.

With a grant received from the Okaloosa Tourist Development Council and Emerald Coast Convention Center as part of a recent BP payout, this year's Fishing Rodeo boasts prizes in the amount of $70,000. This, coupled with the reopening of federal waters, could provide relief for an area whose charter boat captains are hurting. "A lot of these boat captains who were working for BP have been let go. They need business to pick up to make it through till next season," Thomas says. "We're hopeful that re-opening the Gulf will help make up for some of the losses we've all felt over the peak months." He adds he is still hopeful that snapper season will also be reopened.

The Destin Fishing Rodeo opens October 1st and extends throughout the month of October. The announcement re-opening the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle is scheduled for today.