Environmental Pollutants
Gulf Oil Spill Income Loss Areas Florida
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Impact on Florida of Gulf Oil Spill: Fisheries and other coastal businesses
Florida/Mississippi/Louisiana residents: Is your home or business affected by the Gulf oil spill?
The BP Gulf oil spill is killing animals, threatening the livelihoods of fishermen, and polluting the waters. It may soon also have an impact on Florida tourism and related businesses such as seafood restaurants, marinas, commericial fisheries and other types of property owners.
At the moment, a primary worry is the effect on Florida tourism, specifically with international travelers, in the aftermath of the BP gulf oil rig spill.
Florida beaches rake in about $65 billion a year from tourists.
A lot of local-area business people feel threatened, however, as they watch the oil slick spread.
The spill may threaten wildlife and seafood production in a state known as “Sportsman’s Paradise,” as well as in Mississippi, Alabama, Florida or Texas, said Robert Shipp, chairman of the Marine Sciences Department at the University of South Alabama, said BusinessWeek magazine.
“If this thing really gets to the coast, to those sugar- white beaches from Gulf Shores, Alabama, to Panama City, Florida, that would be just a horrible disaster,” Shipp said in an interview.
The fast-moving oil slick has already or is threatening to devastate marine and coast environments, and estuarine areas of Florida, which are used for fishing and to earn a livelihood. Some of our plaintiffs are owners of wholesale and retail seafood businesses; others are owners of commercial fisheries. All their livelihoods are now at risk as a result of the spill.
The Gulf region accounts for about a fifth of total U.S. commercial seafood production and nearly three quarters of the nation’s shrimp output, while nearly a third of all marine recreational fishing trips take place on Gulf waters, according to the Fisheries Service of the NOAA.
Louisiana has a $3 billion fishing industry and is the source of a third of the seafood consumed in the U.S., according to the Louisiana Seafood Marketing and Promotion Board, a state-run agency.
Legal options for those affected by the oil spill
Fishermen, property and business owners, and others affected by the Gulf oil spill may discuss their situation with our lawyers and get a free legal review by completing the form below.
see also:
Tourism Struggles
Gulf Oil Spill Class Action | Weitz & Luxenberg Lawyers File CasesAffected by the BP Gulf oil spill? Consider joining our class action lawsuit. Get a free case review and important legal information
Slick Spreads
Gulf Oil Leak May be Spreading to Florida | Weitz & Luxenberg LawyersAre you a resident of Florida, Alabama or Mississippi affected by the Gulf oil leak? Get important legal information and a free case review
Florida
Florida Oil Spill Impact on Fishermen and Business | Weitz & LuxenbergAre you a Florida resident whose home or business is affected by the oil spill? Get important information and a free legal review.
