According to the Associated Press, a federal analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of bluefin tuna, an already overfished species, in the Gulf of Mexico indicates the BP oil spill in April 2010 would not impact populations as greatly as some scientists had feared.
Computer models and projections show the spill would lead to at most a 4 percent decrease in future bluefin tuna spawning, but likely much less. This species is especially important to the fishing industry in the Gulf and following the 172 million-gallon spill, about one-fifth of the fishes' spawning habitat had been contaminated with oil. Here are some facts about the ecological impacts of the BP oil spill and plans for restoration:
* The National Wildlife Federation reported that the BP oil spill could potentially impact numerous species in many ways, including sea turtles, birds such as brown pelicans, marine mammals, and especially the egg and larvae stages of animal life cycles.
* This past spring, scientists and researchers began looking into the increased number of bottlenose dolphins covered in oil and newborn and stillborn dolphin calves that were washing ashore in the Gulf, reported Reuters.
* Scientists were able to determine that the oil found on some of the dolphins' bodies came from the BP oil spill and speculated that oil inhaled or ingested by pregnant dolphins could induce miscarriages or stillborn calves.
* AOL News noted that a scientific report released in February concluded that oil on the sea floor was not degrading as fast as indicated by an official report made by BP and that oil had suffocated crabs, starfish and other sea-dwelling animals.
* The report also concluded that much of this oil was directly from the BP oil spill since oil is chemically fingerprinted.
* Shortly after the oil spill, blue crab larvae were being found with specks of oil in them, indicating the possibility of the spill impacting the ecological food web if other animals are consuming oil-tainted organisms, reported NOLA.
* Additionally, about 40 percent of blue crab habitat in the Gulf was struck by oil contamination to some degree.
* The Chicago Sun-Times noted BP was nearing the end of oil cleanup in November after 90 percent of the Gulf coast was cleaned and was switching its focus toward restoration of impacted areas.
* BP's is legally responsible for restoration of oil-contaminated areas and the company's restoration plans include planting new plantlife, replacing sand on beaches, and establishing new marshes.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. As a college student from the Chicago suburbs pursuing two science degrees, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
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