When reading this blog it made me think not only about my health when consuming fish or any seafood for that matter, but more importantly the huge impact it has had on the fishing industry. Fisherman have taken a devastating blow from the spill that will leave them helpless until the Gulf is cleaned. This brings up the question, how do you feel about consuming fish or other seafood after the spill? Also what effects from the fishing industry can transfer to other parts of the economy?
Sunday, October 17, 2010
GROUP 3
Our blog can be found by accessing the following link http://www.bpoilspilllawyersblog.com/2010/09/bp_oil_spill_jeopardizes_fishi.html. This blog by the Bernaird Law Firm talks about the consequences the oil spill had on the fishing industry. Many references are made to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and process they use when inspecting the fish. It is a process that's not only slow but it makes work for the fishermen a hassle. Unfortunately, NOAA talks about how they are not sure how the effects will play out in the short or long term. With that being said, they still are trying to analyze the chemical intake of petroleum by the fish at labs in Seattle. They say that the problem is they do not know what is a safe dispersant chemical consumption level. Not only do they not know the safe dose, but when they send the fish to the lab in Seattle, they don't measure for the 8 other chemicals BP utilized throughout the spill.
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To me, i have a lot of problems consuming fish after the spill. Not only have a large portion of the fish in the Gulf been negatively affected, but i don't know how much i would trust the quality of the fish in the aftermath.
ReplyDeleteBut at the same time, i know that a lot of fishing companies have reached financial hardships. In my paper, i discuss a lot of these problems so after a lot research, i feel like i should help them out by paying for their products.
Obviously this leaves me torn haha. I think that Nick asks a good question...any other opinions on it?
I am very hesitant on consuming fish that may be from the gulf mainly due to the oil spill. I have looked at several websites about the effects the oil spill has on marine life and i have found that not only does it affect the fish themselves but it effects a major part of the food chain. Take shellfish for example, shellfish are filter-feeders and filter water through a system in order to consume food. When shellfish filter oil filled water, they are exposed to deadly oil toxins which come to their demise. After they are harvested and cooked, people complain about the taste due saying it is "heavy and oily". So in conclusion, I believe the effects of the fishing industry can transfer to other parts of the economy such as: restaurants, grocery stores, etc.
ReplyDeleteInformation stated found at wisegeek.com
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to eating seafood, I am skeptical but not totally turned off to eating it. Yes, a lot of the seafood we eat comes from the gulf but not all of it does. If I know it came from the gulf I would be a little uneasy. As for the fishing industry, another field that would be affected economically are the manufacturing businesses that the food goes through between the fisherman and the stores/restaurants.
ReplyDeletenot really relating to the content of the blog, but i feel like more people would read it if it had sum color. or even a picture. i know its from a law firm thing or whatever, but a little aesthetic appeal wouldnt kill them
ReplyDeleteEven though i wasn't a huge sea food fan to begin with, i now am even more hesitant to consume fish from the gulf coast. With all the other poisons in our sociiety why would i want to consume another one. especially one where the effects are unknown. Why would BP just dump dispersants into the ocean without knowing if they are safe? Also, what effects could oil have if a human ingested it? wWould it kill you? Does anyone feel safe even eating fish from the gulf anymore?
ReplyDeleteI love eating any kind of seafood, but I always think twice about eating it now because of the spill. I don't think I, or anyone else will ever feel the same about eating fish from anywhere again just because we have become so aware of what types of things have polluted the environments of the fish we consume. Because of this new found concern the public has when they think about consuming fish, the fishing industry will probably be negatively affected well past when the spill is finally cleaned up.
ReplyDeleteThough I believe everyone should be a little more cautious when dealing with sea food, I believe that mass production of fish from larger corporations will still be safe. These corporations will still need to pass FDA regulations. The regulations will probably be much more strict and watched more carefully because of the oil spill as well. In conclusion, I believe that consumers should still beware small fishmongers in coastal cities but have little to worry about by fish output by mass corporations.
ReplyDeletethat is a very good fist question. recently after learning about the spill i have been very passive when it come to sea food and that is normaly not the case. before school started i ate sushi at least 2 times a week but now i have not touched sushi which is a very big problem for me.
ReplyDeleteI found the "sniff test" very interesting. I would just imagine that a knowledgeable administration like the NOAA had a more sophisticated method of testing the fish. This is probably the best way, I just found it funny.
ReplyDeleteOn an unrelated note, we have to empathize with Louisiana. First Katrina, now this. I imagine fishing is a huge part of their economy, which is already in bad shape, so this is just going to make everything worse.
I agree that the appearance of this article doesn't make me want to read it. when there are pictures and colored texts it draws people to want to read it.
ReplyDeleteActually, my secondary source integration paper was about the impact on the seafood industry. My research found that about 80 percent of America's seafood come from another country and from the seafood that America produces, about half comes from Alaska.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the question, I fully trust the seafood that does come from the Gulf. To sell seafood, or any food actually, it has to pass safety and health regulations by the government. By having a system to check the quality of our food, I trust that the seafood I eat will be safe. If the seafood ends up being bad, then they can recall it to warn us.
I thought this article was straight to the point. It wasn't too long and it didn't seem like too much to read. Like what Kara said, it doesn't seem too appealing at first, but the information is good.
ReplyDeleteJordan-In response to the comment about passing seafood inspection, what about Taco Bell? They pass inspection all of the time yet their meat comes from a bucket and a hose..
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge sea food person either and after reading this I am even more sceptical of the seafood I eat now. And I agree with Stuart's Taco Bell comment, gross!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteStuart, now I will forever have a mental image of that when I go to Tbell. No more late night Tbell for me! Way to go lol.
ReplyDeleteI also thing it's funny that they called the their testing methods "rigorous." Really? a "Sniff test" is no where near "rigorous"
Stuart, where would I be able to find the evidence that supports your claim that; "Taco Bell? They pass inspection all of the time yet their meat comes from a bucket and a hose"
ReplyDeleteIf you were to check USDA's website "http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Beef_from_Farm_to_Table/index.asp" you would see that they do not grade meat with letters. So the rumor that Taco Bell uses Grade D beef is flase. Yes they do use low quality meat, but this meat is simply lacking in flavor and dry, not unfit for humans or only fit for dogs.
While this website does not have the credibility of CNN or New York Times, it does an amateur level at analysing the situation and gives a pretty easy read on this rumor. "http://www.snopes.com/food/prepare/badmeat.asp"
To Jordan--I have read at least 3 or 4 blogs that discuss it. Obviously blogs are not always the best source of information, however, i also knew someone who worked there and confirmed it...
ReplyDeleteAlso, low quality meat doesn't refer just to the flavor and dryness, it refers to the "carcass maturity, firmness, texture, and color of lean, and the amount and distribution of marbling within the lean. Beef carcass quality grading is based on (1) degree of marbling and (2) degree of maturity." ----->side note, marbling is the intramuscular fat in the animal.
I got that info from http://meat.tamu.edu/beefgrading.html
We may be getting a bit off topic though haha. I'm just saying that oil has been in the ocean and fish are in the ocean...that worries me.
taco bell has been ruined!! haha just kidding. but yeah i agree with you stuart, that does make me a little uneasy about consuming fish. i dont eat fish too too often, but when i do, i think about where this fish has been, subconsciously. i am constantly wondering if it had been contaminated. on the other hand, shouldnt seafood be checked before preparing and serving to people?
ReplyDeleteI actually used an article about how shrimp are being affected by the oil for my commonplace. I woudlnt have known to use that had you not posted this. Thanks blog group 3
ReplyDeleteTaco Bell has always been gross, but as long as the seafood has passed the test we should not be worried about it being contaminated. we have more to worry about with the food we are getting at any number of fast food restaurants.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, but it's still sort of scary to think how harmful the sea food could really be.
ReplyDelete