Gulf Science Teams Offer Conflicting Reports on Health of Red Snapper

"GULF OF MEXICO -- Despite the reports of diseased fish that are circulating among some commercial anglers and within scientific circles, Alabama researchers fishing within 15 miles of Dauphin Island Thursday caught more than 300 red snapper and found no sign of infection.

The Alabama scientists also caught vermillion snapper, lane snapper, triggerfish and ruby red lips, none of which showed any visible abnormalities.

Chris Blankenship, director of the Alabama Division of Marine Resources, was on board the Escape for the Thursday sampling effort."

Ben Raines reports for the Mobile Press-Register May 15, 2011.

Source: Mobile Press-Register, 05/16/2011