Maryland Congressional Delegation Receives Briefing on Potential Impact of Gulf Oil Spill on Maryland's Beaches, the Bay and Seafood Safety

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today chaired a briefing of Maryland's Congressional delegation on the potential impact of the Gulf oil spill on Maryland's beaches, the Chesapeake Bay and the safety of seafood that is shipped to Maryland's markets, restaurants and grocery stores. Senator Mikulski is Chairwoman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA), which is working in the Gulf to track movement of the oil, aid in clean-up of shores and marshes, assist the fishermen, and ensures our seafood is safe to eat.

The delegation was briefed by Eric Schwaab, NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries; Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Principal Deputy Commissioner for FDA; and Dr. Steve Murawski, NOAA Director of Scientific Programs for Oil Spill.

On June 11, Senator Mikulski and Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, went to the Gulf to talk to scientists first hand and find out how the spill could impact Maryland. While on the trip, the Senators were told that were told that the oil would not likely reach Maryland's beaches or the Bay, and that the seafood was safe.

"I want to trust, but verify," Senator Mikulski said. "This environmental disaster will have effects for years to come, but I want to know what Marylanders should expect in the coming weeks and months. Thousands of tourists will make their way to our beaches and the Chesapeake Bay this summer. I want to know that they won't see oil washing ashore and that they can feel safe eating our seafood."

Coastal tourism contributes nearly $10 billion to Maryland's economy each year. NOAA has said that oil from the Gulf is not expected to reach Maryland's beaches and the Chesapeake Bay because any oil that makes its way around to the east coast of Florida will be carried farther out into the Atlantic by the Gulf Steam before going north of Cape Hatteras. However, Senator Mikulski assembled the panel to find out if a hurricane could alter the oil slick and pose an unexpected risk.

Maryland's restaurants and seafood processors depend on seafood from the Gulf for their businesses. Senator Mikulski organized the briefing to find out if seafood coming from the Gulf is safe to eat despite the oil and the dispersants used in the oil. She also wanted to know if seafood that migrates and is caught off Maryland's coast -- like tuna -- will be affected.

Mr. Schwaab said, "The seafood coming from the Gulf is absolutely safe."

NOAA and the FDA explained in detail the protocols the federal government is doing to ensure the seafood is safe, which includes: establishing clear bounds around areas closed to fishing; monitoring fishing vessels to make sure fishermen stay away from closed areas; testing key species of fish - both raw and cooked - to make sure they edible; and stationing seafood inspectors at docks, processing centers and markets to ensure the fish entering the market were caught in the correct areas and are indeed healthy.

Dr. Sharfstein summed up the strategy by saying, "The bedrock of ensuring the seafood is safe is to make sure fish are not caught in areas that are off limits, and that those closed fishing areas will not re-open until the fish are tested to be safe."

Dr. Murawski assured the delegation that the oil is vigilantly being monitored by aircraft, ships and satellites, and that liquid oil is very unlikely to come this far north.

"The chances of seeing oil or tar balls wash up on our Maryland beaches are pretty slim, but the economic and environmental consequences of the BP oil spill will reach well beyond the Gulf Coast region. It is critical that we understand the potential impacts of this catastrophe so that we can protect our state and hold BP and its partners accountable for any damage," said Senator Cardin, Chairman of the Senate's Water and Wildlife Subcommittee. "I was pleased to hear from federal experts what the government is doing to understand the impacts of the spill in the Gulf, in Maryland and around the nation ahead of a hearing in my Water and Wildlife Subcommittee on this topic."

"While it is by no means a certainty that the oil spill will reach Maryland's shores, we must take action to fully confront and minimize any potential impacts on the state's economy and environment," stated Congressman Hoyer, who sent a letter to the President this week requesting a summit of Atlantic Coast officials to discuss preparedness. "It is critical that we be prepared for potential scenarios to ensure the safety of our food supply, the protection of our shores and the security of Maryland residents."

Congressman Bartlett said that, "Marylanders can be relieved that we were assured that the seafood that we catch from the Bay and off our coast and that we buy in the market from the Gulf of Mexico is safe. We were also informed that it is highly unlikely that any oil from the spill would reach the Bay or our coast."

"As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, I am critically aware of the destruction this spill has caused," said Congressman Cummings. "I am committed to doing everything in my power to make sure that this type of disaster is never visited on our shores in the Mid-Atlantic, nor in the Chesapeake Bay. We must remain vigilant against the destruction of our environment. Too many Marylanders depend on it for their very existence for us to shirk this precious duty."

"We do not expect oil from the Gulf spill will reach the Maryland beaches or impact our local seafood industry, but we definitely want to be prepared in case we feel any of the effects. The Maryland shoreline, the Chesapeake Bay, and the region's crabs and oyster industry are a vital part of Maryland's culture and generate billions of dollars to our economy every year. We must do everything we can to protect our State and our way of life," said Congressman Ruppersberger, a Member of the House Appropriations Committee.

"As we work to end the ongoing disaster in the Gulf, hold the responsible parties accountable, and take protective steps to make sure it never happens again, Marylanders understandably want to know that the Chesapeake Bay is safe and that our state's tourist and fishing industries will remain protected from the Deepwater Horizon spill and future accidents," said Congressman Van Hollen. "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency is playing a critical role in the response to the current Gulf crisis, and I look forward to working with NOAA and the rest of my colleagues to safeguard our state's economy and cherished natural resources."

"The untold damage being done to marine ecosystems, the fishing and tourism industries, and the Gulf economy is a tragedy of historic proportions -- the impact of which is likely to be felt well beyond the Gulf region," said Congressman Sarbanes. "The destruction done by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill highlights the inherent safety, environmental and economic risks associated with offshore drilling. This disaster is a game changer as it pertains to our regulatory framework for offshore drilling and our nation's energy policies more generally."

"The environmental disaster in the Gulf will impact the lives of all Americans for years to come, and we need to know how Maryland will be affected," said Congresswoman Edwards. "Over the last several years, Chesapeake Bay restoration has been tremendously successful. We need to ensure that we maintain those gains. Our fisherman, crabbers, restaurant owners, and tourists all depend on us being armed with the knowledge necessary to move forward with a comprehensive plan that protects Maryland's natural treasures."

"The bottom line is that we need to be prepared," said Congressman Kratovil. "The disaster in the Gulf has devastated the local environment as well as the seafood and tourism industries on which the region's economy relies. Given the ecological and economic similarities between the Chesapeake region and the Gulf Coast, we need to be prepared to protect the families, businesses and industry that call our region home in the event that this oil spill or any other has an impact on our region."

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