Gulf Seafood

What does the oil disaster mean for Gulf Seafood?

The BP oil spill has brought a great deal of attention to the situation in the Gulf. Four of five US fishing ports are located in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine life experts such as biologist Dr. M. Rana of St. Joseph’s College in New York, predicts the oil spill will have lasting effects on the nation’s fishing industry. Some possible outcomes, according to Dr. Rana are “complete disappearance of crawfish and shellfish and short term disappearance of certain fin fish, which may take two years to recover.”



Chef Mike Bleil of Crab Shack Seafood Market in Nixa, MO specialized in Gulf seafood. His new restaurant, Big Mike’s Crab Shack and Pizza will serve many Gulf seafood species, including shrimp, tuna and grouper, to name a few. “There have been no serious signs of contamination to caught fish. The long term affects of the disaster are still to be seen, but the fish caught in open waters are still healthy.”



A self proclaimed seafood environmentalist, Chef Bleil recognizes the grave implications of environmental threats to marine life. “Have you ever heard of the “plastic islands” in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans?,” asks Chef Bleil.

“These are basically plastic garbage dumps which are collecting and concentrating into these huge floating dumps which occupy thousands of square miles. The surface water above these dumps contain six times more plastic than plankton biomass. Eventually this plastic ends up in the stomachs of birds and fish. We can all help reduce the size of these ocean dumps by recycling and eliminating our dependence on plastic, such as plastic water bottles.”



Bleil plans to totally eliminate the use of plastic of any kind in his restaurant. “We’re going to do our part to protect the environment! We also want our customers to know that we’re serving seafood which is toxin free. It is getting harder and harder to know where your seafood comes from.”

Concerning Gulf seafood, Bleil has noticed the impact the oil spill has had on availability and prices. “If anything, prices have come down and we haven’t noticed any shortages. In fact, we’ve decided to lower our seafood prices so that all our fish and shellfish are priced at wholesale.”



Here are some tips which Bleil recommends to seafood lovers about buying fish and seafood, given current environmental threats:



• Deal with someone you know and trust.

• Smell the fish or seafood. It should smell like clean water or a touch briny.

• If the fish market or fish department stinks—shop elsewhere.

• If you buy frozen, ask to see some of the product thawed out—it is the only way you’ll know if it is still fresh and wholesome



Big Mike’s Crab Shack and Pizza is currently operating as Crab Shack and Luigi’s Pizza in Nixa, MO at 107 Aldergate, Nixa, MO. For more information, visit Bleil or join the Facebook page Crab Shack Featuring Luigi’s Pizza.