Mississippi Oyster Sacks Down By 100,000 After Oil Spill

PASS CHRISTIAN, MS – A report from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources indicates the April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill had a lot to do with Mississippi fishermen selling 100,000 fewer sacks of oysters last year than then did in 2009. That's one of the main reasons why fishermen feel like they've been on a roller coaster ride since the oil spill.

The oysters they catch are as fresh as they can be. The waters where they came from look calm. But looks can be deceiving. The massive oil spill one year ago polluted the gulf, and tainted perceptions about south Mississippi seafood.

Travis MacKenzie is a Pass Christian fisherman. He says his oyster crew is "still getting them. But it's not as good as it was last year."

Last year was before millions of gallons of oil poured into the gulf. The leak has been plugged, and everybody says gulf seafood is safe. Yet, Tommy Dennis says uncertainties remain about the seafood industry's immediate future.

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