BP Oil Spill Updates
There is understandable growing anger and a feeling of helplessness about the ongoing oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico. It has heightened awareness of the lack of information on many Gulf of Mexico fisheries, chief among them tarpon. In response to the question - "how will the oil spill impact tarpon in the Gulf of Mexico?" - we have to honestly respond "We don't know". There are a lot of potential problems, including: impacts on spawning; effects of toxins on eggs and larvae; disruption of migrations; disruptions of feeding, especially in the northern Gulf of Mexico; disruptions of the food web; oil entrainment in juvenile habitats. It's a long list of potentials, and the frustration is mounting. One of the most frequent questions we get from BTT members is 'what can we do, how can we help?' It doesn't sound like much, but the best thing we can do is to try to fix what we can - the lack of data on our important fisheries. The best way you can help is to contact your Senate and House representatives and let them know they need to invest in the future of our recreational fisheries, including bonefish, tarpon, and permit - they need to fund research and conservation now. Please click the links below to get one-click access to your congressmen.
List of House of Representatives
Bonefish & Tarpon Trust will continue to update this page with articles and events pertaining to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Please check back regularly.
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill: Call to Action
Oil Spill Implications in the Everglades
Possible Oil Impacts on Atlantic Tarpon
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Individual State Reports Provided by BP:
Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi
Oil Spill Threatens Everglades Fishing
Swimming Through the Spill... (NYT)
Academic Task Force Formed to Help With Response to Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
Senator Nelson Addresses Tarpon in Gulf to Congress
Oil Spill Near Shore Response Plan
What to Expect in South Florida from the Deepwater Horizon/BP Oil Spill (NOAA)