TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida officials say they have no intention of shutting down commercial or recreational fishing off the state's coastline because of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

State and some federal agencies are continually sampling fish and shellfish habitats in the Gulf to see what effect the uncontrolled oil spill might have on the seafood industry.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said Wednesday the state's seafood remains completely safe and that there is no reason for authorities to shut down fishing in the Gulf.

Agency leaders said they're concerned that misconceptions about the safety of Florida's seafood business could have a crippling effect the state's fishing and tourism industries.