The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) released a report last week (September 2nd) that showed dissolved oxygen levels have dropped by about 20% from their long-term average in the Gulf of Mexico in areas where federal and independent scientists previously reported the presence of subsurface oil. Scientists from agencies involved in the report attribute the lower dissolved oxygen levels to microbes using oxygen to consume the oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. “All the scientists working in the Gulf have been carefully watching dissolved oxygen levels because excess carbon in the system might lead to a dead zone. While we saw a decrease in oxygen, we are not seeing a continued downward trend over time,” said Steve Murawski, Ph.D., NOAA’s Chief Scientist for Fisheries and the head of the Joint Analysis Group. “None of the dissolved oxygen readings have approached the levels associated with a dead zone and as the oil continues to diffuse and degrade, hypoxia becomes less of a threat.” More details below...

During a weekend trip to Panama City, Florida, US President Obama continued his campaign to boost consumption of Gulf of Mexico seafood. The First Family dined on regional seafood at Lime's Bayside Bar & Grill on Saturday, enjoying Mahi Mahi fish tacos, according to Obama Foodorama; and last week, in congratulating the SuperBowl champions, he said: “ [...] So with the ongoing reopening of Gulf fisheries, we’re excited that fishermen can go back to work and Americans can confidently and safely enjoy Gulf seafood once again. We’re certainly going to enjoy it here at the White House. In fact, we had some yesterday [...]”. He also discussed specifically Gulf seafood safety during a press conference: “"The health of the people across this country, obviously depends on making sure that folks can trust the seafood coming from the Gulf, trust that it's safe, as it always has been, However, not everyone is buying it (both the message and the seafood). The New York Times reported Saturday (August 14th) that a group of fishermen and conservationists are protesting the publicity push. It quotes Tracy Kuhns, of Louisiana Bayoukeeper, a local conservation group, saying she “watches in disbelief as [Obama's] White House serves Gulf seafood to assure the public of its safety.” [...] “Come to my house [...] and I won't pretty it up before you show up. I won't tell you, the seafood I pull out of [the water], that I feel comfortable feeding it to my grandbabies.”... According to the NYT, “These fishermen see an alarming disconnect between the oil they continue to encounter on the water and the assurances they receive from state and federal officials that their nets and lines can go back in the Gulf.” The Associated Press however also says today that “Seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is being put under the microscope like no other kind on the market”... More details below...

The vast majority of the oil from the BP oil spill has “either evaporated or been burned, skimmed, recovered from the wellhead or dispersed using chemicals – much of which is in the process of being degraded. Much of this is the direct result of the federal response efforts,” according to the US authorities. A third (33 percent) of the total amount of oil released in the Deepwater Horizon/BP spill was captured or mitigated by the Unified Command recovery operations, including burning, skimming, chemical dispersion and direct recovery from the wellhead, according to a federal science report released yesterday (August 4th). An additional 25 percent of the total oil naturally evaporated or dissolved, and 16 percent was dispersed naturally into microscopic droplets. The residual amount, just over one quarter (26 percent), is either on or just below the surface as residue and weathered tarballs, has washed ashore or been collected from the shore, or is buried in sand and sediments. Dispersed and residual oil remain in the system until they degrade through a number of natural processes. “Early indications are that the oil is degrading quickly,” says the Obama Administration. However, some scientists quoted by the Washington Post this morning bring a word of caution, stating that the figures and calculations presented in the report are hypothetical. “[...] in interviews, scientists who worked on the report said the figures were based in large part on assumptions and estimates with a significant margin of error,” wrote the influential newspaper. More details below...

The US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Thursday (July 22nd) it was re-opening 26,388 square miles of Gulf waters to commercial and recreational fishing as of Thursday. The reopening of a third of the overall closed area was announced after consultation with FDA and under a re-opening protocol agreed to by NOAA, the FDA, and the Gulf states. Since mid-June, NOAA data have shown no oil in the area, and United States Coast Guard observers flying over the area in the last 30 days have also not observed any oil. Additionally, trajectory models show the area is at a low risk for future exposure to oil, and fish caught in the area and tested by NOAA experts have shown no signs of contamination. More details below...

EU CONCERNS: “It is fully understandable that the European citizens and policy-makers are alarmed, in light of the developments in the Gulf of Mexico.” [...] “Today, nobody can say whether the spill will reach European shores which create justified concerns” - Maria Damanaki, Member of the European Commission (EC) responsible for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maritime, in a July 7th speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. “Referring to my portfolio - if we have a situation where European fisheries become directly affected by a spill, I, as the Commissioner in charge, will take the necessary steps to mitigate the impact on fishermen and their communities, as far as possible and adequate,” she said in a speech on the maritime dimension of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. More details below...

Americans are “almost universally aware” of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and they are concerned about its potential impact on the safety of Gulf seafood, according to new data from a continuing survey conducted by the University of Minnesota released recently (June 28th). The survey is part of an ongoing weekly consumer confidence poll conducted by The Food Industry Center at the U of M. During the most recent survey, 99% of respondents said they were aware of the spill and 85% say they are following news about it closely or have heard a lot about it. The possible effects of the spill on Gulf seafood are of at least some concern to 89% of respondents, and 50% said they are “extremely concerned.” When asked how the oil spill will affect their consumption of seafood, 54% report some impact, with 44% of that group saying they will only eat seafood that they know does not come from the Gulf of Mexico, and another 31% saying they will eat less seafood regardless of where it comes from. “Given the amount of news coverage the oil spill has received, these results may not be surprising, but it does show that consumers are connecting the event to food safety,” said Dennis Degeneffe, a research fellow at The Food Industry Center. Indeed, the US federal and state authorities are doing all they can – with fishing closures and much testing – to guarantee no tainted fish/seafood reaches the market. Whilst one shouldn't understate the enormous gravity of this environmental catastrophy, consumers should also be re-assured that the seafood they are being offered is safe to eat. Meanwhile, three major grocery retailers will promote Florida seafood products in July and August through an advertising partnership with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (details below); using the new “Florida Gulf Safe” logo.. This Friday - 73 days after the beginning of this unabated oil spill - EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson starts her 6th trip to the Gulf Region.