Consequences of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Free Essay Example, 3500 words

Guillemots were heavily harmed by the spill, with about 22,000 of them found dead; and 153 bald eagles also found dead (Oil Spill Response, n.d). Many invertebrates also died as a result of the oil spill with almost all crustaceans disappearing and others becoming rare in the area within 2 weeks after the oil spill. There were about 1630 birds which were sent to rehabilitation centers and only 837 were released after treatment. This rehabilitation process cost Exxon about $25.3 million (Oil Spill Response, n.d). Recreational sports fishing loss was also seen after the oil spill as many fishes were killed by the oil slick. Cutler (2008) discusses that it is important to consider the impact on the number of anglers, the number of sport fishing trips, the areas fished, the species fished for, and the length of these trips . In 1989, financial losses in recreational fishing were estimated between $0 and $580 million dollars; and by 1990, the range shot up to between $3.6 million and $50.5 million (Cutler, 2008). In the spring of 1989, Alaska canceled the opening to the herring fisheries and it also restricted the salmon take (American University, 1999). As a result, fishermen lost $136.5 million in profits in 1989 alone. Apparently, as explained by the fishermen, they lost a total of $580.4 million because the oil slick also ruined the reputation of the Alaskan salmon. Other losses from the oil spill included $154.8 million due to the ecological damage and the depletion of fish stocks brought on by the oil spill to affected parts of Alaska (American University, 1999). The fishermen in the areas affected also lost the value of their fishing permits because of the oil spill. When the fishermen with fishing licenses tried to leave the business and sell their permits, they lost $23.3 million (American University, 1999). In the immediate aftermath of the oil spill, losses also registered for the sale and harvest of shrimps, crabs, and bottom fishing, and alth ough the losses in the pink salmon and herring increased from 1991 till 1992, both species decreased significantly in sales in the summer of 1993.We will write a custom essay sample on Consequences of the Gulf Coast Oil Spill or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now