Reflections from the Gulf of Mexico
Six months after an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig led to the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, residents and community leaders along the Gulf Coast reflect on how life has changed.
Chris Garner, 43, unemployed, former charter boat captain.
Orange Beach, Ala.
April 20, I had a job, and I was at home, and everything was pretty good, within reason. May 20, I still had a job - everything appeared to be all right. June 3, I lost my employment, and the gulf started being shut down more and more. June 23, I found myself out of my own house and undergoing a divorce, and I'm still in that process right now.
There've been huge surprises, all the way from a personal friend committing suicide to family issues, and I'm not blaming the oil spill for that, but it certainly was a stressor that caused a lot of grief and anxiety.
Nearly 7,000 Miles of Gulf Reopened for Fishing
WASHINGTON (Oct. 15, 2010) NOAA today reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 6,879 square miles of Gulf waters about 180-200 nautical miles south of the Florida panhandle, between the Florida-Alabama state line and Cape San Blas, Fla. This is the ninth reopening in federal waters since July 22.
This reopening was announced after consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and under a reopening protocol http://www.fda.gov/Food/ucm217598.htm agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states.
“Each reopening is a reassuring sign that areas once impacted by oil can again support sustainable fishing activities,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “Tourists and consumers should know most Gulf waters are open for fishing and seafood from these waters is safe to eat.”
Latest Information from Restore the Gulf (.gov)
BoatUS Observation Map
*This update is from BP America via Twitter.com and is not updated by BoatUS nor any affiliates, nor is BoatUS to be held accountable for the timeliness or accuracy of the updates. Thank you for your understanding.
