Obamas Visit Florida, Gulf Seafood Edible?

Although Gulf Coast beaches have been declared “clean and safe” by President Obama, the seafood is still being rigorously tested and the BP well is still awaiting completion of its relief well.

Although Gulf Coast beaches have been declared “clean and safe” by President Obama, the seafood is still being rigorously tested and the BP well is still awaiting completion of its relief well. 

President Obama and his family visited the St. Andrew Bay off of Alligator Point recently to show the world the beaches are safe. Although the Obamas swam in an area not actually considered part of the Gulf, this real-life commercial for the Gulf of Mexico grabbed a lot of media attention, hopefully spurring on the tourism industry in the area. 

Although tourism might be feeling a slight bounce-back, the local seafood industry is still under heavy speculation. More rigorous testing is now being done to locate any traces of crude oil in Gulf fish, shrimp, oysters and crabs. 

Because some sea life metabolizes more quickly and rids their bodies of the contaminants more quickly, certain types of seafood are under more scrutiny than others. Oysters, for example, have the slowest metabolism and are at the highest risk of contamination. 

Dispersants also pose a possible risk to Gulf seafood, but scientists are finding more and more evidence to prove the chemicals have not built up in their systems as anticipated. Still, in-depth testing methods into whether traces of the dispersant chemicals are currently being developed. 

Addition tests are planned to make sure the BP well is ready to complete the final stages of completing its relief well and plugging the leak for good. Until then, big news will likely revolve around edible Gulf seafood.