Worsening situation for fisheries with the Gulf oil spill

Over the weekend, independent scientists have found large plumes of oil in the water column at depths of 700 to 4000 feet, indicating the spill is much larger than thought, and that the dispersants are preventing the oil from rising to the surface. This situation has the potential for deeper and more long lasting impacts for fisheries in the Gulf. Separately, fishermen in Louisiana brought up oiled shrimp from an area that was not closed, prompting further closures, and also perhaps raising consumer fears about Gulf Seafood.

There are fears that the oil spill could be much larger than the official estimates. Rep. Markey said the spill may be up to 70,000 barrels per day, 14 times current official estimates.

in SeafoodNews.com