The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has re-opened a total of 8,000 square miles of federal waters to fishermen in the last 2-days.

The Feds made the move after testing seafood from those waters and finding no evidence of oil or dispersant contamination.

While it's good news for the proposed red snapper season extension, fishermen say it's too late to save the Labor Day weekend.

All's quiet on the Destin docks this Labor Day weekend, despite the Feds opening an additional 21% of gulf to fishing.

"Nobody knew it was gonna open up today so we can't call anybody; it's just too late” says charter boat fisherman Dale Beebe.

This weekend may be a bust, but fishermen say it's a step in the right direction.
"It signals to the rest of the country that the gulf is returning to normal” says Bill McDonald who is Captain of the Mindy Lou II.

While this all comes as good news, fishermen say they are still fighting off the misconception that their catch is tainted.

The Food and Drug Administration and NOAA conducted testing of fish caught in the area that just reopened, and say they did not find any signs of contamination.

The trajectory models show the newly opened area is at low risk to future exposure of oil.

Captain Chuck Turbanic says the industry still has a long way to go.
"These fish are safe to eat but people aren't going for it for whatever reason. I've personally called 10 or 15 of my returning clientele-- people that have been fishing for me for years and tried to get them to come down and book a trip in the fall. They have absolutely no interest in fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.”

While the government may be quick to reopen fishing areas, the public may take their time deciding when it's best to drop a line.

NOAA has changed the no fishing areas in the gulf 27-times since issuing the first ban on May 2nd.