The Gulf Oil Leak Is Getting Personal!
Posted: Monday, June 14, 2010
by Bob Alexander
http://www.bluemarlinbob.com
The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana has gotten personal, but in no way do I equate myself with those that are now suffering because of this tragedy. I don't have to valiantly try to make a living from once reliable fishing grounds that has sustained families in varied walks of life for generations. The only thing I have lost is the excitement I usually feel when I'm about to spend a couple of weeks on the beach.
When the first globs of petroleum drifted onto the Louisiana coast, everyone, with the possible exception of the CEO of British Petroleum, knew that this was a disaster of monumental proportions. While this was bad for the people of that state, to my self-centered way of thinking, it was their problem.
Then recently, the first small clumps of foul-smelling red, brown oil washed up on the shores of Dauphin Island, Alabama, a barrier island located south of Mobile Bay. By coincidence, television cameras were set up just a few feet from where I caught the largest, sweetest tasting Pompano I've ever managed to land. I was watching the waters of one of my favorite fishing spots heave small balls of oil onto the beach.
The beach is open, but few are swimming on Dauphin Island. Fishermen aren't allowed to fish in the gulf where they have made their living for years! The federal government has closed fishing in the area because of the oil in the water. Thousands of people are affected by this monstrous oil leak; not just me and my leisure activities.
As of the first ten days of June, there have been only a few traces of oil on the beach. Ship skimmer boats farther out and closer to the Gulf of Mexico; have so far been successful in removing oil slicks from the top of the water. This keeps the oil away from the beaches but no one seems to know exactly how deep beneath the surface the petroleum is sinking.
An old friend of mine, a charter boat captain, who lives on Orange Beach, between Gulf Shores, Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida, reported that earlier in the week a few oil globs and tar balls spotted on the beaches there. Clean-up crews rushed to contain them. All city and state officials proclaimed that their beaches were still pristine and sugar like in appearance. Then the weekend came!
Slabs of oil are now rolling onto the Orange Beach with each wave. The stench of the oil smell is sickening to many of those who have been brave enough to venture down to the sand. Some tourists on the beach say the odor is not bad, but others vehemently disagree.
One can almost feel the fear in the voices of interviewees who have been corralled by the media. While trying to appear calm, there is an underlying uneasiness from those who see their livelihoods being pushed aside by this gigantic oil leak.
The ocean has always held an enchantment for me and millions of others who visit it from time to time and marvel at its mysteries and enjoy its bounties. We don't depend on the ocean and beaches for any kind of livelihood, but as for me, I am scared of what the future will be for this stricken bit of paradise.
For me and everyone who has ever walked the beach, swam in the surf, got a bite from an unidentified denizen of the deep or has eaten wild Gulf Coast shrimp, this oil cricis is indeed getting personal.
Bob Alexander is a son of the south, having attained expert status in eating barbeque, fish stories and leisure living. He resides in Alabama, USA. Bob is also the author and owner of this article.
Visit his sites at:
http://www.redfishbob.com
http://www.bluemarlinbob.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Thank you. Unless the consciousness of America is raised past profit and raping the environment, our country is going to end up a cesspool.
I love your approach to the oil spill. So much of the media ingores the personal, which makes the spill seem too far away from people's everyday lives. Your article brought the reality home to me. Thanks.Thanks Jennifer. I don't think the reality of the spill has been realized yet.I don't think it has either. I watched some of the Congressional Hearing on the oil spill, and BP's evasionary tactics, plus their total disregard for safety terrified me. They're passing the buck like crazy, their stock is down 47%. They're promising the leak will be fixed by August, but I don't believe it. I don't think they've uttered a word of truth, so who knows what else can go wrong. V. scary.
hi bob,good article, bad oil spill.what we humans are doing to our planet in the name of money, is disgusting, and one day, we may all suffer.my best regards,sue
Thank you for this article Bob
hi bob,i had to stop watching documentaries yesterday because they were making me ill.my ex works on an oil recovery boat, and has for 30 years, so oil recovery has always been an upfront topic in our house. when there were oil spills, he would have to leave right away. but this, is epoch in proportion, and i doubt we know the half of it.thanks for a good article.i wish i had some of those shrimp!!my best,sue
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