Yes. There will be a shortage, possibly for years. I really hope the idea of offshore drilling is revisited. Along with financial reforms, it's obvious we need some type of federal reform for oil companies as well (especially those named BP.) They need some kind of watchdog. I am simply amazed there was no ''Plan B'' for this type of scenario, and still a little stunned they were so disorganized that they didn't send those fishermen who trained to deal with the clean-up, out right away.

My son-in-law has been a diver on the Gulf oil rigs for a decade. He's been telling us stories for several years of disasters waiting to happen so this is no surprise to us. It makes us sick to our stomachs because it wasn't really an "accident". It didn't have to happen. We're now paying a huge price for years of lax inspections & not holding the oil companies accountable.

I heard today that the law says that BP has a cap of $75M for financial accountability. This will cost so much more so guess us taxpayers will have to pay the rest? We're already paying for the clean-up with the Coast Guard, NOAA, etc. on site. Somehow, I don't believe we'll get reimbursed. Isn't it amazing how when the oil goes from the pipes to BP's bank account it's THEIR oil & now that it's spewing into the Gulf waters...it's OUR oil?!

Yes, we're going to have a shortage of Gulf seafood & that's if the spill is contained to the Gulf & doesn't get caught up in the Jet Stream. At least the weather's improved & they can get those fishermen out to lay more booms although I don't really know if that's going to ultimately do much good?

As boat owners, we've been wondering about running a boat through those waters? We sure wouldn't want to take our boat out there. Imagine the gunk on the hull, fittings, etc.

We buy mostly local seafood. We buy Georgia shrimp from the Atlantic estuaries but I'm sure the price will go sky high. Red snapper is what we'll miss the most. It's a warm water fish so it's not in our waters.

I can't even imagine the devestation to the Gulf coastal economy. A New Orleans restaurant without seafood is unthinkable. Let's all just hope this huge dome they've built & are going to drag out there tomorrow to put over the spill works until they can get a new well drilled or the existing one capped.

We are just grateful our DSIL wasn't on the rig when it blew.

/tricia

I live on the Gulf Coast of Florida in Panama City. We are now playing the waiting game on WHEN not IF the oil will arrive on our white pristine beaches. Not only will the delicate ecosystems be destroyed, but the tourist industry is going to hell in a handbasket too. And the oil is STILL pouring.....

triciae, I'm so glad that your SIL wasn't there when the oil rig blew up.

I'm afraid that the aftermath is going to affect us for years to come. Higher prices for seafood will be the least of the problems. Our country needs to require, as lot of other countries do, accoustic blowouts or shutoffs on all the oil rigs in our waters.

Too many people like to label other people who are very concerned about our environment, but I'm sure all the fishermen, the fish market owners, the canning factory owners and employees, the restaurant owners and their employees, the hotel owners and employees, and all the people in the areas directly affected by this oil spill wish that more environmental protective laws had been in effect.

"...that more environmental protective laws had been in effect."...or the ones in effect had been enforced.

I live where we sort of expect and welcome quite a bit of government oversight, but like yours, that same government lets us down when they allow the industry players to populate the very regulatory agencies charged with oversight.

Should not be allowed. Unavailable to you, Mr. Oilman or whatever.

Tricia, they are already planning to power wash the hulls of cargo ships before they head up the Mississippi River to keep from contaminating the water up there. My cousin's DH is a riverboat captain in NOLA and he says it is going to cause lots of delays and may cause some ships to re-route to other ports in the US --- resulting in delays and higher costs for lots of goods.

My mom and most of my family live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. They can already smell the oil on the beachfront. Dead sea turtles began floating on shore over the weekend. They are testing them, but as of yet, do not know the cause. Most of my family is involved in tourism (restaurants, charter fishing, golf, resorts), or in the seafood industry --- this is devastating to them. They are just getting things back together from Katrina. I'm not sure they will survive this blow.

BP is offering to "hire" the out of work shrimpers to help with clean-up, but has asked them to sign a waiver agreeing not to hold BP responsible for anything before they will hire them! In other words, these shrimpers must agree to NEVER sue BP for this mess they have caused if they want to work for them!!!

And finally, I'm really bummed because oysters are my favorite food in the whole wide world :(

It's such a tragedy. I heard on the BBC that BP have fewer restrictions and safety regulations over in the U.S.A. than in Europe which shocked me. I'll say a little prayer that they find a way to cap this quickly.

"I heard today that the law says that BP has a cap of $75M for financial accountability. This will cost so much more so guess us taxpayers will have to pay the rest? We're already paying for the clean-up with the Coast Guard, NOAA, etc. on site. "

The fines over and above the cost of the clean up are currently capped at 75 million. The estimated for the cost of cleanup are estimated to be in the billions, which BP will have to pay.

Yes, it certianly is a tragedy which will have far reaching effects and I am hoping they get that thing capped quickly.

Alexa

This country really can't afford this to happen right now. It would be devasting any other time, but with the economy in such bad shape it's doubly so.

I've watched business after business here in my area close. This is only going to shut even more down, put more people out of work.

Years ago when Exxon dumped all that oil on Alaska, they were paying people exceptionally good money to come help clean up. Maybe that will happen with this situation and at least help some people out.

I'm saying a lot of prayers over this one.

Beth

I, too, live in Panama City, Fl. - I started seeing the 'sheen' of oil on the gulf water last Saturday - there are no people nor boats allowed in the water for 5 miles out - just a sickening situation.

It will be very interesting to see what President Oblablabla and his 'crew' will do about this one!

Kayjones, dissing the president is not only in bad taste, but does nothing to further the discussion about the suffering and loss all along the coastal region.

I agree, regardless about how you feel about him or his party, he had nothing to do with this, the rig was put in long before he was president, under regulations that were in place also long before he was president and even under the worst circumstances, holding one guy responsible for a problem that was caused by many is not very reasonable, no matter what the party, although it is a common practice now days, obsess on a personality. Frankly there isn't much the president can do about it, particularly by himself. A LOT of people profit in the short-term for short-term thinking, which is why it persists. (And BTW, in case you think this is political, I didn't hold President Bush personally responsible for 911 or the lack of response to Hurricane Katrina either, that does nothing to either help or prevent future disasters).

Restoration is somewhat my field, and I'll tell you, even with the best of our responses and technology, it is like trying to staunch a severed artery with a band aide. We're talking HUGE costs for the damage too, and I can't see where there is enough money in anybody's coffers to cover this amount of loss. Some things aren't fixable. Too late to close the barn door after the cows are all out.

It sure doesn't take long for anything to be politicized - but on the cooking forum??!! Can we politicize lettuce?

The only shellfish I eat come from Maine and Canada, so I hope the oil won't get into the Gulf Stream.

I can survive without shrimp, even though I love it.

My concern is for the entire region and the lasting impact this will have.

Nancy

I agree, Nancy, I can live without the seafood, although I love it.

The cost to the industry will be staggering, though, and the environmental impact may be felt for decades, or longer. (sigh)

As for the political discussion, it's expressly forbidden here, I once got a "friendly warning" for saying that I voted for Ralph Nader. (grin) My response was that Ralph Nader wasn't really a politician, but I was still warned...

Annie

Annie,
Hee, hee, hee!

I feel so sorry for all the sea creatures and birds who will be impacted by this disaster. They did nothing to cause it, yet they will bear the brunt of it.