B.P. and the Gulf Coast

The once beautiful beaches of Pensacola and the surrounding area are now littered with tar balls, and sad, angry, devastated people. As the oil pushes on shore whether it be tar balls or, the full onset of oil it has become a topic for discussion across the entire nation. However here in the gulf coast it is much more than just a topic of discussion. The locals here are facing so many life changing events. The fishing industry is being destroyed, with most every fishing area of the Gulf closed, the unemployed fishermen are facing a financial crisis, with the unemployment rate in America already at a high rate, and foreclosures at high levels what’s next for the Gulf Coast?



The out of work fishermen have attempted to get work pulling booms, cleaning up oil. While some have succeeded many have not, or they get the job only to be let go after a few days. Many of which have been reporting that they have not received the pay they are owed. B.P. continues to promise that they are taking care of loss of income claims; it seems like propaganda, because of these reports.

Our tourism industry is suffering as well. With cancellations at resorts, and a significantly lower number of locals hanging out at the beaches, the beach shops, restaurants, hotels, beach condos and night clubs are feeling the pinch. Speculation shows a loss of 75% of our tourism. Our economy relies on 2 major factors on the Gulf Coast, fishing, and tourism. This has become an “oh shit” moment for the residents of the area.

Here is the bottom line for the majority of locals. It is heart breaking, I’ve seen people cry when they see the condition of our beaches, I’ve heard the sorrow in peoples voices as the talk about the spill, I’ve been able to smell the oil at the beaches, I’ve seen the effect the B.P. oil spill has had on the community. This is a disaster for our area. People here love their beaches. It is like our children we love them, and treat them as if they belonged to us. We love to hear people say how beautiful it is here, and they were right. Now our child has been scared by a terrible accident. And God only knows when our child will be that beautiful child again.



It seems that a lot of talk from the federal government is just that, talk. There are a lot of skimmers waiting to work in the gulf to help ease the amount of oil hitting the shore, but have been reported that they are getting caught up in political red tape. To put it bluntly “what the Hell are they waiting for?” This spill has already pumped more oil into the ocean than the Exxon Valdez spill; however it has the potential to do a lot less damage over all. If we get over the politics of who is better in Washington, Maybe this can be resolved with something positive to say about the way the Government handles crisis. I for one am tired of finger pointing about the oil spill, “B.P. is wrong, and so is putting politics ahead of what is best for the citizens affected by this tragedy.

- Scott Fowler/Pensacola Beach, FL