Graph of the Day: Projected Oil Spill Path to 11 May 2010
The unified command reports that more than 8,500 responders are working on the incident, and approximately 1.89 million gallons of oily liquid have been recovered. Overflight and shoreline surveys have found emulsified oil within the Breton National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service closed the Refuge today to allow personnel conducting cleanup operations and recovery efforts to work safely and efficiently. NOAA modified the boundaries of the closed fishing area and is extending the fishing restriction until May 17. The federal and state governments have strong systems in place to test and monitor seafood safety, prohibit harvesting from affected areas, and keep oiled products out of the marketplace. NOAA Fisheries continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the states to ensure seafood safety, by assessing whether seafood is tainted or contaminated to levels that pose a risk to human health. NOAA will continue to evaluate the need for fisheries closures based on the evolving nature of the spill. NOAA continues to track the floating oil with aircraft and satellite imagery. Twice daily, NOAA oceanographers continue to release updated trajectory maps showing the predicted trajectory of the oil slick. The latest trajectory forecast shows the oil slick generally centered over the leaking well, but spreading both west and east.
