Fishermen Still Take Precautions Against BP Oil Spill

Sep 28
06:22

2010

Besty

Besty

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Since the BP oil spill fishermen have been largely effected by this problem. Even though the spill has been capped fishermen are still taking extensive precautions to work around the side effects & future problems facing the gulf.

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The well was capped in the BP oil spill on July 15th and by July 30th the oil appeared to have stopped leaking all together. Since then it has been confirmed that the seal is holding and the leak is over. While this is good news,Fishermen Still Take Precautions Against BP Oil Spill Articles the effects of the BP spill are expected to be felt by area fishermen well into the fall and winter months.

Fishermen have stated that they expect the ramifications of the spill will get worse this winter. This is due to the shifting of the tides and the change in sea temperatures which will cause the oil to reach fishing waters.

A specialist working for BP has admitted that the oil, which at the height of the leak was coming out of the well at 62,000 barrels per day, released into the Gulf region will likely be coming in for years. This will have a long lasting effect on commercial fishing as well as sport fishing.

It is estimated that as much as 180 million gallons of oil in total may have spilled into the Gulf effecting an initial area of 2,500 to 68,000 square miles.

Clean up workers are still on beaches cleaning up "tar balls" which roll in with the tide. They clean them up one day and return to find more the next day. This only illustrates the fact that the oil spill's total impact has not yet been felt.

As a result of the spill, fish from the Gulf region will be tested before they are permitted to be sold. This additional step will add additional costs to the fishing industry. This will likely be passed on to the consumer.

It will also have a major impact on sport fishing. As the oil continues to reach fishing waters with the change of seasons and tides, certain areas will likely be closed off to commercial and sport fishing.

The commercial fishing industry will have to take precautions with extensive testing. Those who fish for sport do not have the same luxury and face a greater risk.

One suggestion is that those who fish for sport in waters that are potentially polluted due to the oil spill may be required to throw back any catch or submit their catch for testing. Areas of fishing may simply be cut off as the impact of the oil spill continues to make its full impact.