US Oil Spill Effects Disastrous for Marine Life

The effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill on the local marine environment have now been officially recognised by the US government, with Gary Locke – the US Commerce Secretary – labelling the scenario a “fishery disaster” on 24 May 2010.

He applied the term to three states – Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, all of which are renowned for their seafood production and all of which have now become eligible to receive financial assistance.

“We are taking this action today because of the potentially significant economic hardship this spill may cause fishermen and the businesses and communities that depend on those fisheries”, Locke stated, adding: “The disaster determination will help ensure that the Federal government is in a position to mobilize the full range of assistance that fishermen and fishing communities may need.”

Marine Life: Oil Spill

The United States gets over one third of its seafood just from Louisiana, a state with a seafood industry worth over two billion dollars. Only one other state hauls in more edible marine life and no other state provides more crawfish, crabs, shrimps and oysters.

None of the content of Mr Locke’s speech indicated how much the three seafood states might receive in light of the effects of the oil spill, or the kind of timeframe within which the funds might be dispensed.

US Oil Spill Damage

Overall, the US oil spill now has the potential to cause more damage than any other in US history.

In related news, BP – the oil firm that was leasing the Deepwater Horizon rig whose explosion caused the oil to start leaking – stressed on 24 May that it would invest millions of dollars into assessing how the oil was affecting the environment.  The group’s research, said Tony Hayward – Chief Executive of BP – would be “...a key part of the process of restoration, and for improving the industry response capability for the future.”

Fish aside, in excess of 500 dead sea birds, turtles and dolphins have been discovered on US beaches in recent days, and all can be and have been linked to the oil spill.

See also:

BP Attempts US Oil Spill Clean-Up