How Did BP Gulf Oil Spill Effect Gulf Fishing Industry Chart
76Gulf Oil Spill Closes Gulf Fishing Industry
The Horizon Deepwater Gulf oil spill closes the Gulf fishing industry down in what is becoming an ever-worsening disaster. The sleek oil sleek continues to thread its way across the Gulf of Mexico and towards the wetlands of the Gulf Coast. We have already seen how the oil spill mobilizes wildlife rescue teams which we are very hopeful can arrest the environmental damage.
The list of casualties grows, the initial workers deaths from the blast, the wildlife lost and at risk, the billions lost in the disaster and now we are seeing the cost to livelihoods and fisheries. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration closed off both commercial and recreational fishing in the spill disaster area off the Gulf Coast. The NOAA has continues to maintain and widen the cordened area off as the Gulf oil spill closes the Gulf fishing industry.
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Fishing Area Affected
The waters affected by the ban covers the coastlines of four states in ‘federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay. Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Board has said the portion of the waters currently closed to fishing represents about 77 percent of Louisiana seafood production, The NOAA said the ban is for a minimum of ten days and will be effective immediately.
NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco, said in a statement that the decision was made after she met with over 100 fishermen in Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish.” I heard the concerns of the Plaquemines Parish fishermen as well other fishermen and state fishery managers about potential economic impacts of a closure. Balancing economic and health concerns, this order closes just those areas that are affected by oil. There should be no health risk in seafood currently in the marketplace.” Dr. Lubchenco said.
It should be noted that the NOAA is a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce
Fishing Industry Disaster
The gulf fishing industry has been affected by three hurricanes over the past 7 years, Katrina, Rita and Ike and is in a most vulnerable state, Without the natural disasters the industry was already struggling from higher fuel and transport costs from the energy spikes of the past years. Throw in America’s parlous economy and the impending disaster from the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon oilrig and the industry is bracing for the worst.
Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke issued the following supportive statement. “We stand with America's fisherman, their families and businesses in impacted coastal communities during this very challenging time. Fishing is vital to our economy and our quality of life and we will work tirelessly protect to it,"
Financial research firm Bernstein has estimated that the fishing industry in Louisiana alone could ‘lose as much as $2.5 billion’ from the oil spill.
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Fish Breeding Ground
The U.S. Gulf coast accounts for about 20 percent of the nation's total commercial seafood production. In 2008 the NOAA said commercial fishermen in the Gulf harvested more than 1 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish. The total annual harvest for the United States in 2008 was 8.3 billion pounds. This region of the gulf coast provides a very strong nutritional breeding ground for fish. This has been put at risk by the oil spill.
Roy Crabtree, NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Administrator said “There are finfish, crabs, oysters and shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico near the area of the oil spill.” He emphasized the significance of the region, “The Gulf is such an important biologic and economic area in terms of seafood production and recreational fishing.”
The NOAA has said that there are 3.2 million recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region. In 2008 these fisherman took 24 million fishing trips.
For those who remember the movie Forest Gump will be well aware that the supply of shrimp for America is heavily concentrated in the Gulf. The U.S. also gets much of its oyster supply from the Gulf. Oysters are very prone to disease and climate changes and can become toxic through minor changes to their environment. Crabtree did say that 'There should be no health risk in seafood currently in the marketplace.'
People from the region are well aware of potential health risks, particularly in oysters. Ewell Smith, executive director of the Louisiana Seafood Board, said in a statement. 'We support NOAA's precautionary closure of the affected area so that the American consumer has confidence that the seafood they eat is safe.'
With the oil spill closes Gulf fishing it is becoming clear just how large this disaster has grown and how many people, plants and animals have had their lives turned upside.
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Information about the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: Fishing Closure in Federal Waters.
Comments on Oil Spill Closes Gulf FishingLoading...
Thanks for the update drbj - that is all more bad news - the Florida Keys has unique wild life also and yes that massive tourism industry.
Terrific update on this disastrous situation.
i hope this doesnt take long because i want my food and seafood.
Thanks bPop it has a sad situation lets hope for some good news here.
Bryant you may be waiting a bit for that plate of gumbo :(
Billy, they may clean up the oil, but the damage has already been done...
Thank you. Comprehensive hub.
So tragic. Apart from the very real danger, there's no way to measure the effects of the fear factors being generated. It may take a long time for confidence to be restored. I admit I still hesitate to eat peanut butter - and how long has it been since that relatively mild scare was in the air? But I'm never sure it has been declared officially over. It's not a 'thinking' matter. It's a gut reaction, where logic is not usually the strong factor being considered. So even when and if all the oil danger is finally stemmed and cleaned up, it will be a lot longer before the fishing and seafood industry recovers fully, I'll bet.
Anyway - it's a horrid shame it happened and that it seems to be so difficult to stop. Thanks for a good review of the latest news on it, Billy.
Yes sadly that is true Melinda - it is just a question of how much now.
Tragic topic but nicely written. Clean and concise as well as informative. Great hub!
Nellieanna Well said as always - it is the psychological impact that can linger and logic or the her mentality can work against one another here. I just hope for the best for all affected, unfortunately there isn't much else at the moment.
Thanks Janny for your nice comments - it is a tragic situation, there really is nothing good about an oil spill, it becomes a story of how bad?
What a lose and a shame this has to happen. We see these huge companies allowed into the sensitive areas, making promises this will never happen. It simply repeats itself over and over again.
I question why in these matters it is allowed. We remain in prayer for all the people and Gods creatures that are caught up in this.
Comprehensive Hub and well presented
Blessings
Thank you Quill for your thoughts - yes the promise is there it will never happen but again it does. It will be interesting what the investigative report shows was the cause here. We can but pray Quill.
Terrible! Just saw where dead seaturtles are already being found.
Thats Terrible news habee - thank you for the update
The comment ...4th one down from Bryant....I would like to drown him in the oil spill. Inconsiderate, stupid idiot! This is a tragic incident. These animals didn't ask for careless humans to destroy their habitat and their lives. People like you Bryant...are those that give mankind a bad name.
Thank you for a follow up hub billyaustindillon. For anyone that didn't read the first hub to this story you definitely should! Rated up!
OMG...We sit and watch as greedy corporations destroy our planet and all that is good. I am still numb from the exxon valdez spill in 89.
We can only pray that God has mercy on all the living creatures this tragedy is certain to kill. Thanks Billy.
I fear we have only begun to see the fallout from this horrible disaster. Just the fact that the Gulf of Mexico is looking at a 3 month shutdown-without any reference to actual damage estimates should be frightening enough! Thank you, for your intelligent analysis, reporting and review!
Thanks theherbivorehippi for your comments, Bryant's comments I am amusing are an attempt of humor, it is totally out of line given the animals and the people of the Gulf Coast had no say it whatever caused the explosion that led to this. The Marine life and birds like always take the full brunt of oil spills. As I said there is nothing good about oil spills.
kowality is it the corporations or the public that keep demanding all the products? Then the politicians that take their share - oh don't get me going... This also looks like it is going to dwarf Valdez at least slick wise.
Mischelle I agree this could get a lot worse and really it is at the mercy of the weather, the winds and the seas could play havoc here. Thanks again for your comments.
Billy, you always come up with interesting news. And I found it through this hub. I hope the company can place in the right side and taking care this environment well. Go green.....anytime, anyplace and anywhere. Good work!
Thank you Prasetio - I try to keep it interesting sadly this isn't happy news - the company and the industry no doubt will try and limit and repair the damages but withe environment much of the damage to the wild life and wetlands is not reparable, Particularly for the animals that die of course, very sad.
Louisiana keeps getting "hit". I am so sorry for their plight. Thank you Billy!
Allthough I feel for the fishing industry, I have to make the comment, that oil provides for thousands and fishing provides for a handful. The oil will clean up, scientist say that over 3000 gallons of oil seeps naturaly from the ocean floor daily. therefore I believe the media is making more of this than reasonable. by the way the sea turtles shown on every station last night were grudgingly admitted to the fact it might not have died from oil. verdict is still out. yes animals will die. what 500 seagulls , and we only have 670trillion of them? lets focus on the loss of human life and getting this problem solved. Oil supports the majority of Americans in one way or the other.
Yes Micky it has been a terrible few years for our cajun friends.
You have some good points American Romance - people have simply forgotten about the 11 people killed. I wouldn't say it is blown out of proportion - other than the sensationalistic aspect - that is America now - everything is exaggerated. The problem, here and anyone in the oil industry will tell you the well shouldn't have blown and it couldn't have come at a worse time with the East coast permits just being passed - I am surprised I haven't read of any conspiracy theories to that end yet actually.
I agree with the last bit I do get tired of people willing to benefit from oil - fuel, plastics, chemicals etc and then get on their high horse about the industry. That doesn't mean oil companies can screw 'up though as BP or the manufacture of the well part did here. Anyway I enjoyed your comments and thanks for popping in.
Nice update on the oil spill.
Whatever...it will make gas prices rise. Sign of the times, who knows what's next.
It looks like a larger area than what I read about, judging by your picture from NASA. After they siphon it can they not just burn it out before wildlife and coastal life becomes endangered?
I do not think they will stop drilling there, even though we hear different. I suppose it will effect sealife and our seafood industry; which I am afraid to eat anyway because of mercury levels I read about.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of the 11 people who were in the explosion on the rig.
Thanks Sandy - thanks for popping in
Pollyanaalana it probably will make oil rise but perhaps just in that region because all the other rigs are running and the oil price seems to be more affected by Geopolitical forces such as Greece and the EU right now. Seafood etc will be pushed higher - that which is available.
Thank you for commenting electricsky - yes the area is pretty huge and ever changing. If they can control the flow they can burn it off - the problem is with the high seas etc. I think they will keep drilling - the shallow waters is where they will have problem - I guess it comes down to what the reason or excuse for the disaster was.
Billy thank you for a very Informative and well wriiten hub. It Is so sad because the damage is going ashore.Everybody loses in this tragedy. But mostly the marine life.
Tony yes it is very sad - but sadly I feel that in a few months - if not weeks this story will degenerate into political recriminations and be put to the back pages with all the financial woes affecting peoples real selfish interests - their hip pockets.
Hey hi,
i would like to tell you one surprising news about this oil spill. It will take many years to cleanup oil spill in this region. In this will indirectly it had created many job opportunities in this area. For more info visit http://hubpages.com/hub/BP-Oil-Spill-Creates-Rush-
Interesting trainingosha - it may have created a few job opportunities but it has cancelled a lot of others.
Thank you for this well written Hub. My concern for the area currently effected by this terrible disaster bleeds into my daily thoughts, as surely as I believe this situation will bleed into many other aspects of the health of our planet, and our nation's economy. Since no solution has been implemented yet, I think we may be just looking at the "tip of the iceberg" about this terrible consequence to the greed motivated deep drilling going on in the seas. Again, thank you for writting this informative Hub, which I have linked to in one of my own Hubs. I think for the most of us, the best we can do is be aware, and hopefully make subtantial changes in our personal lives to help loosen our dependance on oil, and other petroleum based products we seem so addicted to.
To American Romance above, I would like to point out, the human body, just as the earth, is about 75% salt water. How much oil could your body absorb, and still remain healthy? Naturally I realize each one has their own perspective on this terrible oil disaster issue, and seek here to offer an opposing one to yours.
This is a most horrible thing. What really gets me is they violated their permit. They drilled deeper than they had a permit to drill....This to me spells major greed....duh, what's new???
Thanks again for your astuteness on our sealife preservation....Have a blessed day
Cathi thank you for comments and links. I am also worried this is the tip of the iceberg this has gone on for quite a while now and the oil isn't slowing down. This has put the environment at risk, the local economy and people and wildlife's health at risk and the over all American economy at risk given the industries affected. It seems no one is willing to make the sacrifices to be less dependent on oil or other environmentally challenging activities. Even more than that is this intolerably obsession with penny pinching to make a buck - the shareholders expectations etc on companies like BP lead an obsession with Gross margins etc and cust are taken in safety and checks and boom looks what happens. I think the same could happen in airplanes and 100s of people could die, ships, you name it. In the case people die and and an environment could be destroyed for many lifetimes, to save a buck.
Wealthmadehealthy yes there is much coming out, the permits, being allowed to skip safety checks, how much BP contributed to Obama, BP's accident record etc etc No doubt there will be a lot of mudslinging thrown , but what does that achieve it is what it is!
Now that the cap has stopped the flowing of oil although the final remedy is still to come, the long recovery period begins. That will probably not be as newsworthy as the seemingly endless days of oil spewing into the Gulf of Mexico recorded on camera. Let us not forget that these Gulf coast people will need our support and help for a long time to come.
Peggy I agree now the cameras won't be as plentiful lets hope the clean up doesn't leave the collective conscience. The clean up has a long, long way to go. Also the Gulf Coast communities have a long , long way to go to recovery.
this oil spill has become mans worst yet,it will destroy all planktin at the bottom of the ocean floors and all fish and mankind that eat it.no more offshore drilling
Rodney GWA what is quite amazing how a spill of this magnitude has left most people's consciousness it seems - barely a mention in the media of Gulf fishing or the BP oil spill other than a quick rendition of departmental reports.
It would seem (at least from all the BP sponsored ads on television) that business is about back to normal regarding the fishing. Of course the offshore oil rigs that had to stop drilling because of the moritorium and have now left the country to drill elsewhere has left many people without jobs. I know several companies that are still laying off people because of the lack of work because of this disaster in the Gulf. It has long lasting effects on many people in addition to those who do fishing for a living.
Peggy I find it hard to believe all the shrimpers and fish are back to normal as BP wants us to believe. There were family businesses wiped out on the disaster. The moratorium definitely affected the drilling industry and will have a lasting impact.
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drbj Level 8 Commenter 2 years ago
Hi, Billy - a very comprehensive read - thank you. It appears from the latest weather reports that the oil spill may also sweep across the Florida Keys before it heads out to the Atlantic. A blow to tourism as well as the fishing industry.