We need to create a Dunkirk type evacuation for trapped Sea Life in the Gulf.

[Uncle Joe]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gEsS5h6C_l_Ndr7VMsRzKLN9qNdgD9GCIK304

GULF SHORES, Ala. — Dolphins and sharks are showing up in surprisingly shallow water just off the Florida coast. Mullets, crabs, rays and small fish congregate by the thousands off an Alabama pier. Birds covered in oil are crawling deep into marshes, never to be seen again.

Marine scientists studying the effects of the BP disaster are seeing some strange — and troubling — phenomena.

Fish and other wildlife are fleeing the oil out in the Gulf and clustering in cleaner waters along the coast. But that is not the hopeful sign it might appear to be, researchers say.

The animals' presence close to shore means their usual habitat is badly polluted, and the crowding could result in mass die-offs as fish run out of oxygen. Also, the animals could easily get devoured by predators.

During World War II the British used every available sea vessel to evacuate a substantial part of their trapped Army from the French port of Dunkirk thereby saving them from capture by the Germans.

At least a third of the Gulf in U.S. controlled waters has been closed off to fishing, shrimping or crabbing.

I would propose for the federal government to employ fisherman or any available scientific sea vessel capable of netting the congregated sea life and transport it for release off the Eastern Sea Coast.

Of course some of the sea life will not survive the journey, but I suspect much of it could.

[Poll_Blind]

1. For much of it the most noble thing we can do is refuse to look away.

I hope I'm wrong.

PB

[Uncle Joe]

2. I hope you're wrong as well.

As we created this mess with our actions, we must use what action we're capable of to correct it.

UJ

[DearAbby]

15. !

:thumbsup:

[defendandprotect]

3. Is there any chance of saving these animals BEFORE they are sickened by

this oil/dispersant -- ???

If this whole thing isn't shock enough -- a giant hole pouring oil out of bottom of

the ocean because of a corporate chase for dollar bills and our military's need for oil --

the idea that there was no real plan TO RIGHT THE WRONG -- TO SAVE THE SHORELINES --

TO ASSIST THE ANIMALS -- is just shock upon shock.

The corruption of government is so widespread and vile, even I'm amazed at the extent of it!!

Drilling one mile down is where the oil is -- but no one was prepared for such a risk!!

And it failed --

Who gave them permission to drill one mile down!!???

[Uncle Joe]

8. I believe there is still hope of saving much of the congregated sea life in the shallows.

They've instinctively fled the worst of the contamination.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. I wish that it would work, but I suspect that not only will a lot of the critters not survive the

the move and/or arrival, you'll also stress out the the local ecosystem where you place them. And of those that do survive the trip I imagine many would try to return to the Gulf if they can. :cry:

[Uncle Joe]

10. Without trying, they're all dead, I believe there will be some stress

on local ecosystems if they're not widely dispersed.

As for returning to the Gulf, some of them will but at least we gave them a chance, which is more than they have now.

[gratuitous]

5. After loading up where do the vessels go?

Is the water off the East Coast habitable for Gulf water denizens? Is this the best, most efficient use of limited resources? Are animals soaked in oil even savable anymore, or will they slowly cook in their oil coats regardless of our best efforts? At Dunkirk, vessels had less than 100 miles round trip; can loaded vessels get through the Gulf, go around Florida, and make it to the East Coast with their cargo still alive?

I fear this is just another exhibit in a house of horrors unleashed by BP, one that we can do very little about.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Some of the East Coast is, and perhaps spreading out in to the Caribbean away from the Gulf

could be also be an alternative.

If the animals are soaked in oil; beyond saving, then leave them behind.

Some vessels have holds; which could keep more fragile sea life alive for a time.

As for efficient use of limited resources, I view sea life in the Gulf as not only limited, but irreplaceable, species will go extinct from this.

We bring in other nations as well to this Dunkirk effort.

[hughee99]

6. I've been saying for years that we need to do something about oily mullets! n/t

[DearAbby]

7. I think this is a great idea

and it is pro-active, positive action.

[Uncle Joe]

16. Thanks, DearAbby.

Peace to you.

[KharmaTrain]

9. A Sad, Frustrating Dilemma

Even if we could rescue every creature that is in peril, then what? There's only so many that can be held in refuges or transfered to another habitat. Unforunately as the oil continues to flow the death will continue and many more animals will be in peril. It's so frustrating to watch someone to scrub a Brown Pelican whose only nesting grounds are a goopy mess. You really can't transplant them and when they're cleaned and released they fly right back into the goop. Here's hoping for more containment...but these needless deaths are just more to add to BP's tab.

[Uncle Joe]

13. They have a cleaning and transferring program for avian life, but the focus of

my O.P. is toward this congregating sea life; dolphins, fish, sharks, crabs etc. in shallow waters.

Some of this sea life will try to return but I beleive much of it will not.

[jwirr]

12. I suggested this type of rescue mission when this started. Too many

cannot be saved after they are bathed in oil. There must be other places that many of these animals would be safe.

[Uncle Joe]

14. Some aquariums may be able to serve as temporary shelters or stop gaps until

suitable natural eco systems can be located.

[Catherina]

17. Yes we do. God yes do we ever! n/t