Dammit I'm tired of crying.
From AP via nola dot com:
Biologists say oil has smeared at least 300 pelicans and hundreds of terns in the largest seabird nesting area along the Louisiana coast -- marking a sharp and sudden escalation in wildlife harmed by BP's Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
The government counts only oiled birds collected for rehabilitation or found dead, for use as evidence in the spill investigation. Oiled birds in the many nesting areas that dot the Gulf coast typically are left in place and not counted in official tallies.
Researchers from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology said Wednesday that they had spotted the oiled pelicans on Raccoon Island over the past several days. The spit of land lines the Gulf outside the state's coastal marshes. An estimated 10,000 birds nest on the island in Terrebonne Parish.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Lisa Williams said state and federal observers had documented only 68 oiled pelicans on Raccoon Island.
Biologist Marc Dantzker with Cornell -- considered one of the nation's premier institutions for bird research -- said about 30 to 40 of the pelicans spotted by his group were oiled "head-to-tail." Many more had visible blotches of oil.
Dead birds also were seen, although no count was available for those.
"This is a major oiling event of an incredibly important seabird colony," Dantzker said. "Many of these birds will be dead soon -- weeks and months. These blotches are deadly."
Even a small amount of oil can kill birds because it hampers their ability to regulate their body temperature.
The Raccoon Island colony was established by the state in the 1980s. Its successful expansion epitomized restoration efforts that brought brown pelicans off the endangered species list last year.
Oil from the spill 50 miles off the coast hit the island on July 10, after Hurricane Alex drove high seas into the region as it passed to the south, according to Louisiana officials. And with millions of gallons of crude still at sea it could be hit again.
"This is not like Exxon Valdez where you had tens of thousands of birds killed all at once," said Ken Rosenberg, director of conservation science at the Cornell laboratory. "It's more insidious because it is literally happening in waves and it's happening over and over again as the birds are moving around."
Dantzker said he was surprised the government's number was so low and speculated that they used a different method to count oiled birds.
"Come out and look with us," he said. "If you're on the island and using binoculars you will see those birds."
Across the Gulf, roughly 3,000 killed or oil-covered birds have been collected by wildlife agencies since BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded and sank on April 20, killing 11 workers.
Williams, the wildlife official, declined to say how many more birds that were not collected might have oil on them. She said those figures were being compiled, but the results would not be available for some time.
As has been the case with other nesting colonies, Williams said her agency did not plan to rescue the oiled birds from Raccoon Island because that could disrupt other birds in the colony. Entering a colony can flush nesting birds and lead to adults inadvertently killing their young.
"We don't want to cause more harm than good," Williams said
From deepwater horizon website
Raccoon Island, off the coast of Terrebonne Parish in Louisiana, is being closely monitored for the impact of oil on wildlife that inhabits the land mass that is part of the Isle Dernieres Barrier Island Refuge.
Managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Raccoon Island provides habitat for one of the largest nesting colonies in the state. Consequently, LDWF biologists as well as biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have been monitoring the island daily and following carefully crafted protocols that consider the overall health and safety of the bird colony when recovery of oiled birds is considered. The protocols require that bird colonies are not to be disturbed unless a large percentage of the birds are oiled, or heavily oiled individuals are accessible without causing increased colony stress or oiling. The number and extent of oiled birds currently observed on Raccoon Island do not meet the requirements of the protocols.
Federal and state biologists surveying the island have confirmed hundreds of birds have visible oil ranging from light to heavy. These observations have also been made by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology which has a video crew recording the impacts of the oil spill on wildlife.
It is difficult to assess the exact number of oiled birds and the situation is being monitored daily. In addition to approximately 20,000 nesting pairs of birds present, estimates of another 35,000 adults, immature birds, and chicks comprise a population of concern to state and federal biologists. Approximately 2,500 pairs are pelicans and the other birds are terns, gulls, and wading birds such as herons and egrets.
“We fully support the efforts of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and other officials in the region to monitor and assess the impacts on birds and other wildlife," said Ken Rosenberg, Director of Conservation Science at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “We know it is too early to assess the full impacts of the oil spill on birds. The Cornell Lab's video crew has not been involved in official survey efforts, but they have estimated the numbers of birds at their filming locations based on what they could see. In particular, we absolutely support the policies and decision-making of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding efforts to recover and rehabilitate badly oiled birds,” Rosenberg said. “They are doing a great job of ensuring that the harm to wildlife is minimized.”
“The majority of affected birds observed by the Cornell team had small amounts of oil on their feathers, and would not warrant capture and recovery efforts that could disturb and further endanger these sensitive colonies. The longer-term population impacts from these lightly oiled birds are of concern, however, and continued monitoring is critical,” concludes Rosenberg.
Of the 68 heavily oiled birds observed on July 10, 14, and 15, six were rescued safely by LDWF biologists based on protocols observed by these biologists working on the bird rescue mission. No rescues are attempted on the island where rescue activity would disturb unoiled or slightly oiled birds, and increase the possibility of putting additional birds at risk.
The rescue of oiled wildlife impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill continues to be an important mission for the LDWF and the USFWS. State and federal field biologists patrol coastal waters and marshes daily searching for wildlife in distress, including thousands of coastal shorebirds, wading birds and migratory species.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Not Okay
Here's a link to a must read post on nolafemmes. It mirrors the feelings of we the residents of the Gulf as we go through this disastrophe.
Protect Gulf Wildlife, Not BP
Here's an email I got from the Gulf Restoration Network
Tell the Feds to Stop the Secrecy and Protect the Gulf!
Dear Judy,
Recently, we began receiving reports of inadequately trained BP contractors crushing bird eggs and disturbing tern nests in coastal areas. These disturbing reports were coming from independent monitors - citizens, journalists, and groups like GRN - who have been out in the impacted areas working to make sure that BP and federal officials do everything possible to clean up this mess.
Independent voices are essential for gathering the full knowledge of the disaster's impacts that is so desperately needed, but BP is working hard to stem the flow of information. Unfortunately, the federal government seems to be taking some pointers from BP's playbook.
Restrictions on air space over the impacted area continue to frustrate efforts to monitor the disaster and new rules limit on-the-ground access to cleanup operations - threatening independent monitors with felony charges and $40,000 penalties. What we need is more transparency, not more rules!
Tell the Feds to stop protecting BP, and start protecting Gulf wildlife, click here:
http://action.healthygulf.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=4314
It is essential that our leaders do everything necessary to protect Gulf communities, and wildlife. As this massive clean-up and recovery effort continues, increased transparency is vital to successfully restoring the Gulf, defending our communities, and making sure this never happens again. Please add your voice to the chorus of independent voices calling for more transparency, and better protection for Gulf wildlife.
For the future of the Gulf,
Aaron Viles
Campaign Director
The Gulf Restoration Network is a diverse network of local, regional, and national groups and individuals dedicated to protecting and restoring the valuable natural resources of the Gulf of Mexico. Don't worry, GRN will never sell or share your information. To unsubscribe, visit this site.
Animal Autopsies in Gulf Yield a Mystery
Excerpts from an article in the NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/science/earth/15necropsy.html?th&emc=th
Studies show that dispersants, which break down oil into tiny droplets and can also break down cell membranes, make oil more toxic for some animals, like baby birds. And the solvents they contain can break down red blood cells, causing hemorrhaging. At least one fresh dolphin carcass found in the Gulf was bleeding from the mouth and blowhole, according to Lori Deangelis, a dolphin tour operator in Perdido Bay.
Another dolphin, its ribs broken, was hit by a boat, a catastrophe that dolphins are normally nimble enough to avoid. The veterinarian, Dr. Connie Chevis, found a tarlike substance in the dolphin’s throat. The substance will be analyzed to see if it is oil, but one theory is that the animal could have been disoriented by oil exposure, which can have a narcotic effect, rendering it incapable of avoiding a boat strike. Ms. Deangelis said the dolphins on her recent tours have been “acting like they’ve had three martinis.”
Despite an obvious suspect, oil, the answer is far from clear. The vast majority of the dead animals that have been found — 1,866 birds, 463 turtles, 59 dolphins and one sperm whale — show no visible signs of oil contamination. Much of the evidence in the turtle cases points, in fact, to shrimping or other commercial fishing, but other suspects include oil fumes, oiled food, the dispersants used to break up the oil or even disease.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/science/earth/15necropsy.html?th&emc=th
Studies show that dispersants, which break down oil into tiny droplets and can also break down cell membranes, make oil more toxic for some animals, like baby birds. And the solvents they contain can break down red blood cells, causing hemorrhaging. At least one fresh dolphin carcass found in the Gulf was bleeding from the mouth and blowhole, according to Lori Deangelis, a dolphin tour operator in Perdido Bay.
Another dolphin, its ribs broken, was hit by a boat, a catastrophe that dolphins are normally nimble enough to avoid. The veterinarian, Dr. Connie Chevis, found a tarlike substance in the dolphin’s throat. The substance will be analyzed to see if it is oil, but one theory is that the animal could have been disoriented by oil exposure, which can have a narcotic effect, rendering it incapable of avoiding a boat strike. Ms. Deangelis said the dolphins on her recent tours have been “acting like they’ve had three martinis.”
Despite an obvious suspect, oil, the answer is far from clear. The vast majority of the dead animals that have been found — 1,866 birds, 463 turtles, 59 dolphins and one sperm whale — show no visible signs of oil contamination. Much of the evidence in the turtle cases points, in fact, to shrimping or other commercial fishing, but other suspects include oil fumes, oiled food, the dispersants used to break up the oil or even disease.
The Emotional Impact
BP’s massive and ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is not Louisiana’s problem or a Gulf coast problem or America’s problem, says Frank Brigtsen. It’s a world problem, he states firmly. And, the ripple impact is beginning to be felt in every corner of the country. We have to figure out a better way of doing things and how to help each other during times of crisis, he says.
Even though a successful restaurant owner and chef, Brigtsen is unusually candid about the grief he’s feeling these days about the magnitude of destruction inflicted across his beloved southern Louisiana and the Gulf coast region by BP’s pollution of the Gulf, and the widespread unemployment it has caused.
“Once again, we in New Orleans are on a strange adventure we don’t want to be on,” he says. “The BP oil spill has taken parts of our lives away.”
To understand the scale of the human suffering that is today being caused by the BP oil spill, Brigtsen says you’ve got to actually see it.
Brigtsen says that ever since he and his wife drove to Grand Isle, La., to stand on a pier and actually see the oil floating on the water, he’s been having sleepless night, depression and periods of just crying.
The real tragedy, he says, is the human side … a lot of people who cannot go to work and are in need … lives pulled out from under their feet … and a feeling of helplessness.
On a more positive side, Brigtsen talks about the leaders of his industry – the famed New Orleans restaurants – pulling together to during this crisis, as they did during Katrina and other times, to help others by providing food.
Frank Brigtsen and his family own Brigsten’s, a landmark eating place on Dante Street in New Orleans.
From Louisiana Seafood Board News
Even though a successful restaurant owner and chef, Brigtsen is unusually candid about the grief he’s feeling these days about the magnitude of destruction inflicted across his beloved southern Louisiana and the Gulf coast region by BP’s pollution of the Gulf, and the widespread unemployment it has caused.
“Once again, we in New Orleans are on a strange adventure we don’t want to be on,” he says. “The BP oil spill has taken parts of our lives away.”
To understand the scale of the human suffering that is today being caused by the BP oil spill, Brigtsen says you’ve got to actually see it.
Brigtsen says that ever since he and his wife drove to Grand Isle, La., to stand on a pier and actually see the oil floating on the water, he’s been having sleepless night, depression and periods of just crying.
The real tragedy, he says, is the human side … a lot of people who cannot go to work and are in need … lives pulled out from under their feet … and a feeling of helplessness.
On a more positive side, Brigtsen talks about the leaders of his industry – the famed New Orleans restaurants – pulling together to during this crisis, as they did during Katrina and other times, to help others by providing food.
Frank Brigtsen and his family own Brigsten’s, a landmark eating place on Dante Street in New Orleans.
From Louisiana Seafood Board News
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A Louisiana Hero-Drew Landry
During the hearings held on July 12-13 a crawfisherman named Drew Landry used music to eloquently portray the trials and tribulations of the Gulf region because of the oil spill. Here's the video
h
""
h
""
Moratorium impact to Louisianians
Granted, offshore drilling is dangerous. But right now there is no alternative for energy awaiting to be embraced. So face it folks, we need oil for the near term until there is a safer, greener alternative.
That said, the impact of Obama's blanket moratorium is going to have a HUGE impact. No one knows the exact numbers, but here's a guess by Loren Scott, professor emeritus at Louisiana State University.
video courtesy of heritage dot org
Add those 32,000 jobs lost to the thousands of jobs lost in the fishing industry, the ~12,000 jobs lost* by Avondale shutting down and the 1,000 jobs lost due to the cancellation of Orion program by who else: Obama.
That's about 50,000 jobs, counting the jobs lost for indirect support services. In one state.
And I'm being laid off in the 4th quarter. Oh well, I'll just go on unemployment, which was the president's answer to the job losses.
What a mess.
*12,000 jobs include the 5,000 direct and the rest are indirect jobs.
That said, the impact of Obama's blanket moratorium is going to have a HUGE impact. No one knows the exact numbers, but here's a guess by Loren Scott, professor emeritus at Louisiana State University.
video courtesy of heritage dot org
Add those 32,000 jobs lost to the thousands of jobs lost in the fishing industry, the ~12,000 jobs lost* by Avondale shutting down and the 1,000 jobs lost due to the cancellation of Orion program by who else: Obama.
That's about 50,000 jobs, counting the jobs lost for indirect support services. In one state.
And I'm being laid off in the 4th quarter. Oh well, I'll just go on unemployment, which was the president's answer to the job losses.
What a mess.
*12,000 jobs include the 5,000 direct and the rest are indirect jobs.
Saving White Pelicans
From a clarionledger.com article about a zoo in Jackson, Ms. helping oiled, handicapped white pelicans:
Cautiously shifting from right to left in opposition to Dave Wetzel's motions, the 20 American white pelicans have not adapted to their temporary home - a large wire holding cage with two kiddie pools that has become their sanctuary since the Gulf Coast oil spill damaged their habitat and forced their removal.
Volunteers rescued the pelicans being rehabilitated and housed at the Jackson Zoo until permanent homes at animal facilities can be found.
Wetzel, the zoo's deputy director, has a degree in zoology fueled by an interest in birds. That's one reason the Jackson Zoo was able to become a bird holding hub.
"We volunteered because it's our state that is going to be affected," he said Tuesday.
Read the full article here
Cautiously shifting from right to left in opposition to Dave Wetzel's motions, the 20 American white pelicans have not adapted to their temporary home - a large wire holding cage with two kiddie pools that has become their sanctuary since the Gulf Coast oil spill damaged their habitat and forced their removal.
Volunteers rescued the pelicans being rehabilitated and housed at the Jackson Zoo until permanent homes at animal facilities can be found.
Wetzel, the zoo's deputy director, has a degree in zoology fueled by an interest in birds. That's one reason the Jackson Zoo was able to become a bird holding hub.
"We volunteered because it's our state that is going to be affected," he said Tuesday.
Read the full article here
Jazz Funeral
On July 8th the final external fuel tank manufactured at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East was delivered to NASA. We celebrated the way only New Orleans celebrates: with a Jazz Funeral. Here is a short film put together by Lockheed Martin.
that methane bubble
There has been a rumor going around about a huge methane bubble in the Gulf of Mexico that is going to cause the evacuation of the entire Gulf Coast and create an oil tsunami. Wow, some people have too much time on their hands.
Here is a blog that puts this crazy myth to rest:
Thanks to Maitri for the link. (http://vatul.net/blog/)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
The SCOTUS Women
Women of the Supreme Court just did what far too many elected officials have failed to do: they stood up to Trump’s MAGA regime and called b...
-
I think I'm missing something. Razoo Bouncers not guilty of murder. Levon Jones, 26, of Statesboro, Ga., died after being pinned to th...
-
Harrah's New Orleans Hotel I can identify all but one of the flags flying, which depict the city of New Orleans and Louisiana's...
