Five Years of Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico

Five years ago, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita made landfall and became one of the most destructive disasters in U.S. history, ravaging the Gulf of Mexico coastline. Especially hard hit were the states of Louisiana and Mississippi.

Impacts were seen thru major decreases in landings of fish, shrimp, oysters and other seafood. Landing values for the following year showed losses in the millions, compared to the previous five year average's values. Although the Gulf of Mexico sea food industry suffered severe losses, it endured and regained great strength.

Again in 2010 disaster struck the Gulf of Mexico when the BP Deepwater Horizon incident became the largest oil spill in U.S. history.

Although these events have affected thousands of lives, the valiant people of the Gulf Coast will continue to provide fresh seafood to the USA.