Like many organizations concerned about the vast impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill crisis, Sea to Shore Alliance has offered their expertice to help. Below is a chronolgy (most recent updates listed on top) of S2S's actions and response related to Gulf of Mexico marine life.
Make a Donation towards S2S's Oil Spill Response Efforts!
What Your Gift Means
Your donation translates directly to our work. For example: $1,500 funds the airplane, pilot, staff, and fuel to get S2S's experienced aerial observers off the Gulf Coast to look for marine life impacted by the oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Though the generous support of a donor, S2S was able to conduct a "pre-impact" aerial survey of Mobile Bay, described below. Your support will allow us to expand these efforts! It is critically important now that oil is hitting the Gulf Coastline.
NOAA decided to discontinue flights to monitor, map and project oil dispersal. This decision was based on cap placement by BP several weeks ago. Currently the oil along the AL and MS shoreline has decreased with minimal visible oil noted but reports of concentrations within the soil continue. Tar balls and light sheen amounts are still being noted along the Panama City area in FL. LA continues to be hit the hardest. Sea to Shore Alliance and Dauphin Island Sea Lab continues to conduct aerial surveys to estimate abundance and distribution of manatees in the areas adjacent to and affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as well as assessments of impacted areas to document locations of marine mammals in fouled areas.
USFWS has requested the continuation of data collection to assess exposure and potential impacts to manatees as they make their migration into the oil impacted areas of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. A concern beyond surface oil exposure is the potential impact due to ingestion of product as it settles into sediments and vegetation in fringe habitat. Currently the anticipated end date for flights will be dictated by the timing of migration of individuals as they travel eastward for winter in Florida. Thus the end date for our surveys may not be until mid November, but that depends on numerous factors.
July 2010
Throughout July, S2S conducted weekly distribution surveys of the coastal waters of Mississippi/Louisiana and Alabama. Observers from Dauphin Island Sea Lab typically joined S2S observers for the AL surveys. These surveys typically required 2-3 days to complete, and 0 - 4 manatees were typically observed. Aircrafts have been provided by BP and they have been very cooperative and helpful through this entire process. All data from these flights was distributed to NRDA, BP, DISL, S2S, and our other partners.
Our first manatee sighting occurred during a survey conducted in AL on 6/30/10. A mother/calf pair was noted within the Perdido Bay area. The animals were within a two mile of oil located which was located around the mouth of Perdido Bay. The manatee pair appeared from the air to be resting and not under any distress. Unfortunately, these animals have not been spotted again during subsequent flights. Manatee sightings were not noted again until 7/20/10. One manatee was sighted within MS and another manatee was sighted the following day in AL. Due to the distance between sighting locations, it was assumed to be unique animals. Oil was noted from the air in MS but the manatee was not within proximity of the oil. No oil was noted from the air within AL during the flight conducted on 7/21/10. Four manatees were sighted during our most recent survey of AL conducted on 7/28/10 and all animals were not within proximity of oil. Oil was noted near Perdido Pass in AL. No manatees or oil were noted during the MS flight on 7/29/10. Due to the increase number of manatee sightings over the past few weeks, it appears the migration westward by individuals has begun, thus we anticipate a further increase in numbers in the sequential weeks.
During our flights, we are documenting where and what type of oil we are observing. We are taking pictures when possible of oil and animal sightings. We are also documenting other animal sightings to include sharks and specie of dolphins and turtles. If we see individuals within oiled areas or if the animal appears in distress, authorities are notified immediately for ground dispatch to assess the animal.
June 10, 2010
We completed two aerial surveys of Mississippi and Alabama:
MS (and eastern portion of LA) Survey Report 06/09/10: The survey was flown with one observer in a Cessna182RG, (4.9 hr, 435 linear miles), from the MS / AL border westward into the easternmost portions of Louisiana, including the outer barrier islands including Half Moon Island, Cat Island, Ship Island, Horn Island, and Petit Bois Island. Weather conditions were good to excellent, and water visibility was fair to poor (good along the barrier islands).
AL Survey Report 06/09/10:The survey was flown with two observers in a Cessna 172 (6.7 hr, 570 linear miles). The survey route extended from the MS/AL border eastward to the AL/FL border and up into Mobile Bay to include portions of the AL delta river area. Weather conditions were good to excellent and water visibility was good to poor (excellent visibility east of the Mobile Bay mouth along the gulf coastline).
One "Oil Response" survey has been approved and S2S's Monica Ross and JayGorzelany are on their way to Pensacola/Mobile and Gulfport, respectively to conduct "distribution survey" of inshore and coastal waters, along. Joining Monica will be Allen Aven of DISL. We are still awaiting final approval for the NRDA surveys. These surveys include three phases: 1. Distribution survey to ID manatees in the area. Sightings of 2 or more manatees trigger Phase 2 and 3; 2. Strata surveys (to obtain abundance estimates); 3. Oil Response surveys (to look for manatees in or near affected areas, and characterize any oil present).
June 7, 2010
S2S and our partners at FWC and DISL continue to go back and forth with BP and response agencies (such as NRDA - Natural Resource Damage Assesment and NOAA) on the timing, logistics, and protocols of the aerial surveys. S2S staff completed NRDA data collection training and are preparing to head to affected area to begin surveys.
June 1, 2010
Sea to Shore has submitted a second proposal for aerial survey support in AL, MS and LA for manatee monitoring related to oil impacts. This proposal was submitted in conjunction with one submitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as a "species approach" to the impacts without boarders; FWC would be covering FL and S2S, with our partners Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), would be covering AL to LA. This afternoon, reports are coming through that oil layers are appearing on shore at Dauphin Island, AL and last week numerous manatee sightings were reported to DISL's manatee sighting network. There was even a manatee sighting reported at AL/MS border.
May 24, 2010
Reports today indicated 50% of LA coast has oil on it, with small amounts on MS and AL. No oil has reached FL and is not expected to within the next 72 hours. The oil that made it into the loop current last week is being kept away from FL and is actually believed to be in a jetty loop back north. In preparation, booms have been deployed from the border of AL/FL to Gulf County. Only tar balls and light sheen oil are expected in FL after 72 hours. Baseline monitoring for the Keys will start tomorrow by DEP and USFWS. Southwest Florida's monitoring and preparation is being revised and Southeast Florida's monitoring and preparation is being developed. The soda straw approach by BP to help reduce the flow of oil into the Gulf has shown a reduce in uptake for unknown reasons. There is an agreement that the amount of oil that has spilled is unknown and unclear but a group has been assembled to come up with an estimate. EPA has instructed BP to stop using the current dispersant and to use a different less toxic form. It is unclear when BP will begin this recommendation.
May 18, 2010
The loop current intersected with the top layer oil yesterday and is expected to be in the Straits of Florida in the next 8 days. The oil is expected to be weathered and in tar ball form by the time it reaches the Straits. An additional command center will be established in St. Petersburg ASAP. Any tar balls that are found will be tested for "finger print" of source confirmation and unfortunately booms do not work at keep tar balls off shore. Pre-sampling along areas of south Florida will begin early this week to include water, substrate and specie distribution surveys.
Approximately 20% of the flow of oil is being redirected by a newly installed tube at the source point. Sub-sea chemical disbursement will continue along with local areas of burning near the rig. Towing for tar balls will occur primarily close to shore. There has also been a much deeper oil layer confirmed in a much denser state than the surface layer. This layer is expected to move ten times slower than surface oil.
May 14, 2010
Report from Sea to Shore's Executive Director James "Buddy" Powell surveying for animals in Alabama at risk from oil impacts:
Allen Aven from DISL and I flew Mobile Bay, the intracoastal waterway to Perdido Pass and west to the Mississippi border yesterday. Conditions were not optimal but adequate for a survey. No manatees or sea turtles were seen but 7 groups totally 18 dolphins were sighted. Habitat in upper Mobile Bay (which we flew twice, once in the morning and checking “hotspots” in the afternoon) appears excellent for manatees, with extensive and diversified freshwater SAV. Just speculation, but the bay temperatures may still be a bit cool for manatees with only a few reaching the area so far. Conditions were not ideal, but were adequate for the survey. Surface oil is expected to be hitting Alabama shores soon due to a shift in wind. The presence of tar balls and other oil residue on the beaches of Dauphin Island, Al. indicate that oil is moving ashore in Alabama from mid-level or bottom entrainment (likely caused by the dispersants).
May 11, 2010
S2S received permission to proceed with a pre-assessment marine mammal distribution aerial survey in Alabama. The survey will be conducted Thursday 5/13/10 and will attempt to cover all shoreline and inland openwater areas within Alabama. It is unclear if we will receive instructions to conduct additional flights but we anticipate that determination will depend on what is observed during the pre-assessment flight. There have been several reported manatee sightings within Alabama in the past week. It is unclear if these sightings have been the same animal but two sightings were believed to be legitimate visuals reported to the manatee hotline for Alabama conducted by the staff at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. Small balls of thick oil have been reported on Dauphin Island and reports of oil sheens near the mouth of Mobile Bay have also been noted. Oil has not reached Florida shorelines to date and as of Monday 5/10/10, only two oiled birds had been reported at rehab facilities across the states.
May 6, 2010
Rescuing Manatees from the Oil Spill Sam Champion's 'Living the Dream' Guide Planning a Manatee Recue from Oil-Soaked Waters. Watch an interview with Buddy for Good Morning America Show.
May 4, 2010
Upon the request from USFWS, Sea to Shore Alliance submitted a proposal yesterday to BP via USFWS to conduct emergency response aerial surveys within the Alabama inshore waters and coastline. Our primary goal will be to record manatee numbers, locations and any indications of oil related stress or exposure. In addition, we will provide similar data for inshore sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins noted during our survey route. We will be partnering with Dauphin Island Sea Lab for ground support for further evaluations of behavioral complications if noted and respond appropriately if intervention is warrented. Surveys will be conducted daily for the critical initial stages of the event and transitioned to twice a week based on evaluations of events. Maps of animal sightings will be distributed to BP, government, state and emergency response teams. We are fortunate to have an extensive amount of aerial observer experience within Sea to Shore Alliance and are very confident we will be able to provide a valued service during this unfortunate event.
It is unclear exactly when we will get word for deployment but currently we have a schedule worked out with plane availability and an observer eager to go with his bags packed. As we hear more, we will forward updates and the potential options for those that might want to volunteer. Until then, you can follow the most up-to-date news posted almost daily by USFWS and NOAA at the following websites:
http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/deepwaterhorizon
http://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/index.html
Should we be awarded this project, several volunteer opportunities will available through S2S, as well as other partner agencies and organizations. We will be updating this page as additional information becomes available