In the biggest economic blow of the Deepwater Horizon spill which is by some estimates releasing 5,000 barrels of crude a day into the Gulf of Mexico, the government has closed 5% of the land surrounding the area near the leak. But, the NOAA released maps showing that the coast line that could potentially be affected. The NOAA also released data that shows oil coming ashore on more islands off Louisiana. The agency says there are 3.2 million recreational fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico region who took 24 million fishing trips in 2008. Commercial fishermen in the Gulf harvested more than 1 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish in 2008. According to the agency, “weather conditions today permitted aerial dispersant application but vessel skimming and in-situ burning operations were halted. Over 1.1 million feet of boom have been placed and drilling continues on the relief wells. Due to the complications with the first experimental containment dome an alternative structure is being developed. The alternative is called a “top hat”. This structure plans to use warm water and methanol going down the riser to help prevent ice crystals from forming. Overflights today matched well with NOAA trajectory forecasts. The latest forecast indicates that SE winds will persist through the week and continue to move the oil westward.”
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