BP Engineers claim they have stopped the leak with the new cap.  Let's hope this lasts.

Tested Gulf Seafood Shows Low Levels of Contamination

APALACHICOLA, Fla.-  Shrimp, grouper, tuna and other seafood snatched from the fringes of the oil in the Gulf of Mexico are safe to eat, according to a federal agency inspecting the catch.

To date, roughly 400 samples of commonly consumed species caught mostly in open waters — and some from closed areas — have been chemically tested by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Officials say none so far has shown concerning levels of contaminants. Each sample represents multiple fish of the same species.

NOAA and the Food and Drug Administration began catching seafood species in the Gulf within days of the April 20 BP rig explosion off Louisiana that generated a massive oil spill.

The agency is mostly looking for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, the most common carcinogenic components of crude oil.  The first line of defense in keeping tainted seafood from the market is the closing of about one-third of federal Gulf waters to commercial fishing — roughly 80,000 square miles.

Seafood inspectors also have been trained to sniff out oily product. One fish sample has failed the smell test, but did not show concerning levels of contaminants, Kevin Griffis of the Commerce Department said Friday.

Still, Don Kraemer, who is leading FDA's Gulf seafood safety efforts, said the government isn't relying on testing alone.

"We couldn't possibly have enough samples to make assurances that fish is safe. The reason we have confidence in the seafood is not because of the testing, it's because of the preventive measures that are in place," such as fishing closures, he said.

FDA issued guidance last month that encourages seafood processors to heighten precautions so they know the origin of their seafood.

The federal government plans surprise inspections at docks along the Gulf Coast, though Dr. Steve Murawski, NOAA's chief scientist, acknowledged they can't be everywhere.
"It's like enforcing anything. You can't be everywhere all the time and handle every fish. We're going to try to be real visible," Murawski said.
 

From AP report

Oil Spill Relief

NEW ORLEANS- The delicate work of removing and replacing a cap over the gushing oil well on the floor of the Gulf of Mexico has started.

BP officials said Saturday that undersea robots were preparing to take off the existing cap.

The hope is to fit a tighter dome that will funnel more oil to collection ships on the surface a mile above. The next steps will prepare the seal for the new cap.  It will get worse before it gets better. Oil will flow into the Gulf without being collected from the well head until the new cap is attached.

If all goes well, the oil could be contained sometime Monday. A permanent solution is still weeks off. That involves an attempt to plug the well far below the gushing well head.
 

From Foxnews.com

Gulf Oil Spill Aftermath: How to Help

Numerous organizations are mobilizing to lend a hand in the devastating aftermath of BP's Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
 

For simple, safe ways to donate or volunteer to help affected areas contact one of the following well-established charities and beware of online scammers.
 

• Greater New Orleans Foundation: In response to the recent disaster, the foundation is opening the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund to make emergency grants to nonprofit organizations helping the victims of the oil spill and help address the long-term economic, environmental, cultural effects of the disaster, and strengthen coastal communities against future environmental catastrophes by investing in solutions.
 

• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is joining with partners at the local, state and federal level to begin registering volunteers to assist with spill recovery efforts and collect donations toward those efforts.
 

• National Park Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Fund: Give to the “National Parks Disaster Recovery Fund” online or by texting “PARKS” to 90999 on your mobile phone by July 1st. Your money will go directly to the parks impacted by the Gulf oil spill.
 

• Gulf of Mexico SeaGrant Programs is supplying the most current information about the disaster and for volunteer opportunities in the region.
 

• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is a group of organizations with a history of on-the-ground work in Louisiana, and combining efforts and experience to implement an effective volunteer response and make a real difference in the BP Oil Spill recovery efforts.
 

• The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans is working with Matter of Trust to collect donations of nylons, hair and fur, which can be used in making booms for containing oil.
 

• Catholic Charities is providing food, rent and utilities aid and is currently in need of volunteers to help outreach to families who work in fishing-related industries affected by the oil spill.
 

• Second Harvest Food Bank: is working in concert with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, the Louisiana Department of Social Services and others to ensure that men, women, children and seniors are afforded the meals they need during these trying times.
 

• The BP Volunteer Hotline has set up numbers if you need to report injured wildlife or damage related to the spill. You can also request volunteer information at 866-448-5816.
 

• Oxfam America is working to help affected communities with financial assistance, as well as protect local wetlands and marshes. Oxfam also has an online form to "Ask your Senator to make BP clean up their mess".
 

• Louisiana Serve Commission is helping mobilize and train volunteers in response to the Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
 

• Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service: All oil and oil-contaminated materials will only be handled by trained, paid workers and not by volunteers. To apply for these jobs, go to the MS Department of Employment Security website and click on Oil Spill Jobs. Registered volunteers will also be contacted as needed.
 

• Volunteer Florida encourages everyone to get connected with a local organization. Volunteers can support these organizations throughout the oil spill and beyond through appropriate activities such as Coast Watch, pre-oil landfall beach cleanups, fundraising, and meeting other needs of responding organizations.
 

• Alabama Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives provides information on volunteer and donation opportunities.

Aquatic Life Desperately Flees to Safer Waters

 Gulf Coast animals trying to outrun the massive oil spill are running out of     space.  Dolphins and sharks have been showing up in the shallow waters off beaches in droves.  Other sea creatures have fled to cleaner waters, while oil-covered birds simply look for a place to die.  One marine biologist likens the scene to animals fleeing a forest fire.  "There will be a lot of fish, sharks, turtles trying to get out of this water they detect is not suitable," Larry Crowder, a Duke University marine biologist, told The Associated Press.

The largest oil spill disaster in U.S. history began April 20. Since then, millions of gallons of oil have spewed into the Gulf of Mexico.  So far, the animal death toll reads like this: 783 birds, 353 turtles, 41 mammals.  By comparison, the Exxon Valdez disaster in Alaska killed 250,000 birds and nearly 3,000 otters.

The BP spill's wide reach is partly to blame for the disparity as scientists have been unable to track down every area where animals may be hurt. Most of the dead animals will have sunk to the bottom of the sea, while injured animals may head inland for safety.  The animal death toll is important for more than just environmental awareness. The tally will eventually become part of BP's bill for the oil spill damage.

For aquatic animals congregating near the shore, the safe haven could be short-lived.  Crowder said more oil may wash ashore, killing some animals or trapping them between the clean waters and the oil-saturated sea.  "It could lead to die-offs," he said.

(Source: nydailytimes.com)