In Gulf Of Mexico, 'They Are Literally Shrimping In Oil'
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Earlier this week, we made note of BP CEO Bob Dudley's complaint that the media, in their routine efforts to document the truth about what was happening in the Gulf of Mexico, had created such a gigantic "climate of fear" that he had no other choice but to wage a widespread campaign to harass and intimidate reporters. Because of the fear, you see! Such as, the "fear" that the correct oil spill rate might get reported, for example.
Well, if there's one thing Dudley can do, right now, to bring a renewed sense of peace and calm to the Gulf Coast region, it's this: he could roll on down to the bayou and tuck in to a heaping plate of freshly-caught shrimp. There's only one little thing to be concerned about, however, according to the Inter Press Service:
Massive slicks of weathered oil were clearly visible near Louisiana's fragile marshlands in both the East and West Bays of the Mississippi River Delta during an overflight that included an IPS reporter on Oct. 23. The problem is that, despite this, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has left much of the area open for fishing.
[...]"They are literally shrimping in oil," Jonathan Henderson, the Coastal Resiliency Organiser for the environmental group Gulf Restoration Network, who was also on the flight, exclaimed as our plane flew over shrimpers trawling in the oil-covered area.
Others remain concerned about the use of toxic dispersants that BP has used to sink the oil.
"Potential ecosystem collapse caused by toxic dispersant use during this disaster will have immediate and long-term effects on the Gulf's traditional fishing communities' ability to sustain our culture and heritage," Clint Guidry of the Louisiana Shrimp Association told IPS.
"This has been an exercise in lessening BP's liability from day one. I think we're moving into a situation where the PR is saying the area is safe to fish and it's safe to eat, but that's not the reality," he said.
Surely this is nothing that Bob Dudley is afraid of!
[Hat Tip: Florida Oil Spill Law]
RELATED:
Despite Heavy Oil, Louisiana Keeps Fisheries Open [Inter Press Service]
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First Posted: 10/27/10 07:50 PM ET Updated: 05/25/11 07:10 PM ET