Gulf Oil Spill and The Seafood Industry

By now we have all seen the devastating photos of the blue Gulf which now has a large, red cast due to the recent, enormous Gulf oil spill. We have also seen pictures of oiled down birds and additional marine life struggling to cope in this disaster. We have heard reports on the news about how the spill is affecting fisherman, tourism and beaches but we have heard very little about what is happening below the ocean’s surface. In fact, we hear that there is much more devastation than is being reported. One business that is destined to suffer great consequences due to the Gulf oil spill is the seafood industry. Food distributors and restaurants are definitely feeling the pinch when it comes to purchasing fresh seafood and fear that they have yet to see the worst of this calamity since only 60-70% of the oil is still at the bottom of the ocean, waiting to hit the surface.

The Gulf oil spill, most certainly the worst marine disaster in our history is already affecting the shrimp catch, which has come to a virtual close during what should be harvest season. Shrimp supplies are now coming from Asian trades who are increasing prices nearly 50-60%. Fresh shelled oysters have also gone up in price nearly 18%. What we don’t know is how this spill will affect the clam, cod, haddock, and scallop along with the lobster and mussel fisheries. What many in the seafood industry fear most is that the Gulf Stream carries this oil up the Eastern Coast which will inevitably affect these fisheries as this devastation from the oil spill continues to unfold. Wholesale food distributors, seafood suppliers restaurant owners and retailers fear what will happen if a hurricane occurs as well the effects when the spill works its way toward the East Coast.

At AGAR we realize food distributors, restaurants and retailers cannot stop the oil spill, however we are taking steps to not only prepare for the impact of the tragedy but to also protect and preserve the environment and the ecosystem. In 2009, AGAR began working on Nautifish, a brand developed to offer quality seafood products to New England restaurants and retail outlets and to also foster greater awareness of the sustainability issues that affect the ocean. Under the Nautifish brand, AGAR has been donating money to Ocean Alliance for every pound of Nautifish sold. Because of the severity and urgency of this gulf disaster, AGAR is increasing its efforts to support Ocean Alliance.

Ocean Alliance will gather information on marine life when the Odyssey, a 93-foot research vessel, launches this July to travel from the east coast to the Gulf of Mexico. Because the Whale, and here the Sperm Whale is the top of New England’s food chain, Ocean Alliance will gather information relating to this species as well as others to determine the effects that will occur to the other marine life. We are aggressively supporting this mission and we ask that you join us.

You can find out more be heading over to the Nautifish website as well as regular updates here from the Odyssey mission including video. http://www.nautifishseafood.com/odyssey/