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| Map of location of oil and loop current (NOAA) |
On Friday July 30th, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that new analysis shows that Southern Florida, the Florida Keys, and the East Coast of Florida are not likely to experience any effects from the remaining oil on the surface of the Gulf. Since the well was capped, no oil has been discharging since mid-July and the oil that remains is hundreds of miles away from the loop current. A large loop current eddy, called Eddy Franklin, has pinched off and detached from the loop current and is more than 100 miles from the nearest surface oil. Unless Eddy Franklin rejoins the loop current and comes in contact with oil then there is no clear way for oil to be transported to the Florida Keys and beyond. The remaining oil is dispersing and biodegrading. Assuming the cap continues to stop oil from discharging and the relief well(s) and static kill work later this month then no more oil should be discharged. To keep up to date with the latest Oil Spill news check out
http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/. To view NOAA's press release, visit
http://app.restorethegulf.gov/go/doc/2931/835719/ or DEP's press release at
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/073010_noaa_florida.pdf.
On another positive note, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently reopened 23-miles of state waters offshore of Escambia County to the harvest of saltwater fish. This area had been closed since June 14th as a precautionary measure due to possible impacts from the oil. To view FWC's press release, visit
http://www.myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/10/statewide/News_10_X_OilSpill36.htm.
