Gulf of Mexico 2010 - Oceana USA
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Gulf of Mexico 2010

Investigating the Gulf Oil Spill

In early August 2010, Oceana launched a two-month research expedition in the Gulf of Mexico to assess the long-term impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

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Overview

The expedition took place aboard the Oceana Latitude, a 170-foot vessel capable of sailing in both shallow and deep waters, and adapted to serve as a diving platform.

The expedition team, led by Oceana’s Chief Scientist Mike Hirshfield and Oceana’s vice president for Europe, Xavier Pastor, included research by Dr. Jeff Short, Oceana’s Pacific science director and one of the world’s leading experts on Exxon Valdez and the effects of oil spills.

The crew also included scientists, divers and underwater photographers from our U.S., Chile and Spain offices, as well as academic scientists.

The team tested for underwater oil and studied important seafloor habitats as well as the migratory marine life affected by the spill, including endangered sea turtles as well as the rare whale shark.

While most of the media attention surrounded the visible oil on the surface of the Gulf, our expedition explored the impacts of the unseen, underwater oil that damaged marine wildlife and habitats in the Gulf and will likely continue to do so for years to come.

See the full photo album on Flickr. See all the expedition videos on Vimeo.

Diaries

May 28, 2015

Santa Barbara: Cleaning Up Yet Another Oil Spill

By: Jaime McClain

December 1, 2010

Victory! Drilling Halted in Eastern Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific Coasts

By: Jessica Wiseman

October 4, 2010

Expedition Slideshow: Manatees and More

By: Emily Fisher

September 28, 2010

ROV Explores Seafloor Near Key West

By: Emily Fisher

September 28, 2010

Tagging Sharks in the Dry Tortugas

By: Emily Fisher

September 26, 2010

Lionfish: An Invasive Beauty

By: Emily Fisher

September 24, 2010

Rough Weather Near Christmas Ridge

By: Emily Fisher

September 23, 2010

Diving in Tarpon Springs, FL

By: Emily Fisher

September 21, 2010

Video: Baby Bonnethead Sharks in the Gulf

By: Emily Fisher

September 19, 2010

Preparing to Tag Sharks

By: Emily Fisher

September 19, 2010

Face to Face with Goliaths in the Gulf

By: Emily Fisher

September 18, 2010

Oceana Divers Explore Artificial Reef

By: Emily Fisher

September 16, 2010

Leaving Mobile Bay

By: Emily Fisher

September 16, 2010

Rogue Wave Hits ROV

By: Emily Fisher

September 14, 2010

Photos from the Alabama Alps

By: Emily Fisher

September 13, 2010

Good News from the Alabama Alps

By: Emily Fisher

September 12, 2010

Exploring the Gulf’s Underwater Mountains

By: Emily Fisher

September 11, 2010

Day 30: Testing the Deep-sea ROV

By: Emily Fisher

September 10, 2010

Day 29: Heading to the ‘Alabama Alps’

By: Emily Fisher

September 9, 2010

Oceana Divers Explore Life Under Gulf Oil Rig

By: Emily Fisher

September 7, 2010

Day 25 + 26: Jellyfish and Canyons

By: Emily Fisher

September 4, 2010

Day 24: Missing Moorings and Mahi-Mahi

By: Emily Fisher

September 3, 2010

Day 22 + 23: Another Fire in the Gulf

By: Emily Fisher

September 2, 2010

New Nautica Tees Support Gulf Expedition

By: Emily Fisher

September 1, 2010

Long Days on Deck to Measure the Plume

By: Emily Fisher

August 30, 2010

Stormy Seas at Oil Spill Ground Zero

By: Emily Fisher

Videos

Learn More

Gulf of Mexico: Places

Expedition location

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