wpt 0001 Begin Data Observations

Data forms on clipboards, pens in hand, three wildlife observers on each of two Sea Turtle Restoration Project supported boats. Our search for oiled sea turtles begins as we leave the Mississippi River.

FOX News Rolling Film on Approach to Rig

As the team approached the first oil rig, FOX News 8 cameraman Paul records the action.

Exxon Mobil Rig Dive Site Approach

The visibility at the previous Shell rig was poor, so our team headed further into the Gulf to this Exxon Mobil rig to don SCUBA gear and search for sea turtles.

Rig Dive Site Water Sample

Our expert local dive team reported an unusual layer in the ocean that they believed was dispersed BP oil. Having gone through rigorous training by Dr. Chris Pincetich of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project on water sampling and water quality measurement protocols, it was time to put training into action. Brock Cahill holds the sample, and the photo marks the lat/long coordinates. Thanks Trimble! The SCUBA dives recorded videos of an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle, black tip sharks, reef fish, corals, and slimy trails of oil and dispersants in the water. Big thanks to Captain Al Walker of Gulf Wildlife Rescue Unit and Scott Porter of EcoRigs.

Oily Scum Water Samples and Water Quality

We spotted an oily scum along the ocean surface during our voyage home and slowed the boat to have a closer look. The metallic brown sheen of BP oil was heartbreaking to see. The Gulf has a long way to go before recovery can even be discussed. Our team took triplicate grab water samples from this site, which was highly heterogeneous in quality. Using our calibrated YSI 85 water quality meter, we measured temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen.

Oil Slick and Scum Continuous for Hundreds of Feet

The metallic brown sheen seen on the edge of this photo was present along a continuous slick of oil and oily scum we encountered along our voyage home. We were heartbroken. Our team has barely seen less than 1% of Gulf waters on our expeditions and we have encountered clear evidence of oil at each stop. Once again, the lab-sourced amber glass jars came out and triplicate grabs samples were collected along with water quality data. Our team of Sea Turtle Restoration Project staff and volunteers, representatives from National Wildlife Foundation, Mission Blue, Sea Shepherd, Oceanic Defense, Ocean Defenders, Gulf Wildlife Rescue Unit, World Animal Awareness Society, EcoRigs and FOX News had a satisfying day. We observed, reported, and sampled the BP oil spill at the surface and below the surface to uncover the truth. This massive catastrophe is too big for any one group to tackle alone, and we vowed to continue to work together to tell the unfolding story of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more and take action at http://www.seaturtles.org