The BP oil spill, resulting in the worst oil spill in recent history, will most certainly affect the Gulf of Mexico's waters. Recently, the US government statistics showed that between 20,000 and 40,000-plus barrels of oil spouted from BP's ruptured Gulf well, called the, "worst oil spill in US history." The fish and shell fish in the Gulf of Mexico will go through rigorous testing and sampling before it can be sold or consumed.

The Food and Drug Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have called for inspections of seafood from the Gulf region. The inspections include an unprecedented sampling and chemical testing by federal inspectors right on the docks. In addition, these agencies are also organizing the flying of aircraft, "over the banned fishing areas and even using satellite images to make sure fishermen aren't harvesting any seafood from contaminated areas." According to CARICOM and other agencies and experts, "an intense hurricane season this year could spread the spill further afield and, if it reaches the loop current, carry millions of gallons of heavy crude directly toward the Caribbean islands."

The oil spill damage will almost certainly reach the Caribbean, say many experts. It is just a matter of time. What people in the Caribbean should know concerning fish and shell fish consumption: At the first sign of water contamination, contact the US National Response Center at 800-424-8802 to report the contamination.

Fish and shellfish in oil affected waters may be contaminated with levels of hydrocarbons above baseline levels. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers such seafood to be contaminated or adulterated. Do not consume the fish or shell fish if you know the fish to come from contaminated water. The oil spill will continue to shift and could reach South Atlantic and/or Caribbean Federal waters. The arrival of the oil in the Caribbean will depend on, "wind speed and direction, currents, waves, and other weather patterns lead to changes in oil location. As the weather conditions controlling the movement of the oil change, the oil could move in directions not initially predicted."

Because the oil could wash up in an unpredictable pattern, it is necessary for the public to stay vigilant and enact an emergency rule to close area fishing facilities. Lobby your local government to enact such emergency checks and balances before the water becomes contaminated.

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