On The Gulf Coast

By Ana Kostioukova | July 7, 2010 at 12:13 pm | News | 16 comments | |

 

Roadside art reflects the anger of locals. Oil first hit mainland Louisiana on May 19.

Energy is the largest part of Louisiana's economy, followed by the seafood industry.

Fishing with his daughter is now only possible in the Bayou, which itself has not completely escaped the oil. The Mississippi River pushes the oil away from the Delta, near where it was spilled, to other shores.

Although the beaches are being cleaned of tar balls, when you put your hand in the ocean it comes out filmed in silk oil. Clear does not mean clean.

Grand Isle has historically been a popular summer destination for Louisianans. No tourists are to be found this year. 'For Sale' signs dominate road sides.

Oil on the Gulf Shores of Alabama. Before beaches are cleaned, it reeks of chemicals. Oil slick was first reported seen in the Gulf Shores on June 5. Photo credit: Jeffrey Justice

Oil found under the pier on a beach on the Gulf Shores of Alabama near Orange Beach. Photo credit: Jeffrey Justice

Louisiana has been worst hit by the spill, with Governor Jindal saying over 100 miles of coastline have been affected.

Local restaurants usually catering to tourists and fishermen now rely on weekly shifts to feed the clean-up crews. BP has begun hiring restaurants to provide their workers meals. But after almost a month, the owners of the Bridge Side Marina, above, have not seen a paycheck.

Restaurants as far away as New Orleans are being forced to "get creative" with their menus or temporarily close their doors, following the many fisheries that have shut down around the coast.

 
 
 
  • Anonymous

    With any luck, Bobby Jindal will be able to clean out the filfth and slime of Capitol Hill when he kicks out Barack “Don’t Let Any Crisis Go to Waste” Obama.

  • Anonymous

    With any luck, Bobby Jindal will be able to clean out the filfth and slime of Capitol Hill when he kicks out Barack “Don’t Let Any Crisis Go to Waste” Obama.

  • Diggory

    These are fantastic, did you take them yourself? If you’re still down there, I think a lot of people would love an account of what the atmosphere is like. How are people coping? How visible are cleanup and reparation efforts? I know it’s been plastered all over the news, but for honest, non-sensationalized news, I trust a CMCer over a cable newsanchor anyday.

  • Diggory

    These are fantastic, did you take them yourself? If you’re still down there, I think a lot of people would love an account of what the atmosphere is like. How are people coping? How visible are cleanup and reparation efforts? I know it’s been plastered all over the news, but for honest, non-sensationalized news, I trust a CMCer over a cable newsanchor anyday.

  • Ana K.

    Clean up efforts can be easily scene if someone gets to the beach. This may be tricky. Although it isn’t illegal to be on the beach, people will make it seems so by stationing police cars in front of roads that lead to the ocean. Its kind of like a visual signal to dissuade anyone to go, however, in no way is it trespassing since it’s public land. When I was on Grande Isle, the BP workers we tried talking to, told us they couldn’t say anything. BP promised the jobless fishermen a chance to help with the clean up efforts. Strangely, the people working on Grand Isle were groups of African-American men with a white overseer. These people are in no way locals, while local men are sent off to Venice at the very tip of the Louisiana coastal lands to clean, and essentially do the same thing they would be doing back home.

    Most were mine, but there are two from my friend Jeffrey. Locals use the term ‘apocalyptic’ to describe their feelings and how it will effect Louisiana long term. Sadly, the fishing industry is all but gone, which is a shame since this season was suppose to be big. Those same families were depending on other relatives that work in the drilling business to care for them financially, however, the six-month moratorium on drilling will make that impossible. People are obviously scared with no means of providing for themselves anymore. I’d be terrified too. Hope this helps.

    • uhh

      you are as bad at writing as you are speaking in class. your thoughts are vague and your points are unorganized and underdeveloped. all you do is throw out charged words that interest groups like the sierra club and peta (both fine organizations) use to mobilize people like yourself but have little real value. To be honest, it’s extremely difficult to follow most things you say and write. also, why are you upset about the fishing industry suffering? I’ve heard you shout the evils of the industry and overfishing on many occasions..

      That being said, I think it’s great that you’re involved in this cleanup effort. This is a terrible disaster and we need to devote much time and resources to clean up the gulf.

      • Nadia

        It looks like you are angry or jealous. Are you upset that you are doing nothing this summer?

        • uhh

          i took a science class for non-science majors AND i got a lot better at cooking pasta thank you very much. also bomb quesadillas. very eventful summer. what are YOU up to this summer?

  • Ana K.

    Clean up efforts can be easily scene if someone gets to the beach. This may be tricky. Although it isn’t illegal to be on the beach, people will make it seems so by stationing police cars in front of roads that lead to the ocean. Its kind of like a visual signal to dissuade anyone to go, however, in no way is it trespassing since it’s public land. When I was on Grande Isle, the BP workers we tried talking to, told us they couldn’t say anything. BP promised the jobless fishermen a chance to help with the clean up efforts. Strangely, the people working on Grand Isle were groups of African-American men with a white overseer. These people are in no way locals, while local men are sent off to Venice at the very tip of the Louisiana coastal lands to clean, and essentially do the same thing they would be doing back home.

    Most were mine, but there are two from my friend Jeffrey. Locals use the term ‘apocalyptic’ to describe their feelings and how it will effect Louisiana long term. Sadly, the fishing industry is all but gone, which is a shame since this season was suppose to be big. Those same families were depending on other relatives that work in the drilling business to care for them financially, however, the six-month moratorium on drilling will make that impossible. People are obviously scared with no means of providing for themselves anymore. I’d be terrified too. Hope this helps.

    • uhh

      you are as bad at writing as you are speaking in class. your thoughts are vague and your points are unorganized and underdeveloped. all you do is throw out charged words that interest groups like the sierra club and peta (both fine organizations) use to mobilize people like yourself but have little real value. To be honest, it’s extremely difficult to follow most things you say and write. also, why are you upset about the fishing industry suffering? I’ve heard you shout the evils of the industry and overfishing on many occasions..

      That being said, I think it’s great that you’re involved in this cleanup effort. This is a terrible disaster and we need to devote much time and resources to clean up the gulf.

      • Nadia

        It looks like you are angry or jealous. Are you upset that you are doing nothing this summer?

        • uhh

          i took a science class for non-science majors AND i got a lot better at cooking pasta thank you very much. also bomb quesadillas. very eventful summer. what are YOU up to this summer?

  • Ana K.
  • Ana K.
  • anonymous

    I’m doing quite well on BP’s stock

  • anonymous

    I’m doing quite well on BP’s stock