The fate of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico is being determined by winds and waves as the oil spill caused by the BP drilling rig explosion continues to spread.
While federal, state and local authorities work with oil industry officials to deal with the spill, it’s the job of The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (a bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce) to monitor seafood safety.
NOAA has already moved to close some fishing grounds for finfish, oysters, shrimp and crabs to protect consumers from contaminated products. In the case of shrimp, a great deal of the supply provided to supermarkets and restaurants is frozen and therefore safe because it could have been harvested long before the spill occurred.
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Photo by Vino Wong, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution