• Submitted by: admin
• Environment
• 04 / 24 / 2010

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 The Gulf of Mexico, the “Mediterranean of the Americas”, hosts some of the world’s most endangered marine mammals, as well as North America’s most productive fisheries.

Any significant oil spill could be devastating to marine life along its 3,500 miles (5,600km) of coastline because the pollution would be trapped within the encircling land. Gulf waters drain into the ocean through only a narrow entrance between Florida and Cuba.

The Gulf region contains about five million acres of wetlands, which are an essential habitat for three quarters of all of the migrating waterfowl that cross the US.

There are more than 3,300 marine species in the Gulf, including six endangered species of whale. Its shores include the only known nesting beach of Kemp’s Ridley, the world’s most endangered sea turtle.

There are also populations of protected Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles, which are about to begin their nesting season and would be particularly vulnerable to oil washed up on beaches.

There are several shark species declared to be “of concern” because of declining populations. The Gulf is also home to one of the world’s largest populations of bottlenose dolphins, with an estimated 45,000 in its waters.

    Four of the top seven fishing ports in the US are in the Gulf and a major pollution incident would be devastating for the $20 billion (£13 billion) tourism industry, especially recreational fishing.

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk/