Gulf of Mexico 2010 - Oceana USA

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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