Nov. 11, 2010 /EIN Presswire/ – Amid continuing questions of the safety of Gulf of Mexico seafood, scientists have become aware of a result that few had expected: more fish and shellfish.
Tests along the coast have been bringing in more seafood than previously, including shrimp, one of the region’s largest and most valuable sea products.
The increase in aquatic populations is being attributed to the closure of fishing in the region during the spring and summer months. The federal government ordered the closure while intense efforts were in progress to stem the BP oil gusher and clean up the oil released during the disaster.
Catches in the area are coming in at levels triple than those captured before the spill. The catches are also showing increased weight.
Because of the spill, the fishing closures were extraordinarily long. Apparently this gave species of all kinds an opportunity to replenish themselves in volumes seldom seen along the coast and in the Gulf.
While the numbers are much higher, many scientists still have concerns about the catch itself. Until more in known, scientists can’t be sure about the effects of the oil and dispersants on the larvae and future generations. It may take years to learn the full extent of that potential damage.
For more seafood news, visit Seafood News Today (http://seafood.einnews.com), a seafood media monitoring service from EIN News.
