Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response

Updated Aug. 27, 2010

Background

On April 20, an offshore oil-drilling platform, Deepwater Horizon, exploded in the Gulf of Mexico near Louisiana. The rig, owned by Transocean Ltd., was under contract to BP.

Currently Deepwater Horizon is not discharging any oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Unified Area Command continues with a comprehensive oil well intervention and spill response planning. On Aug. 5, pressure testing indicated there is an effective cement plug in the casing. BP believes the static kill and cementing procedures have been successful.

BP, the United States Coast Guard and the Minerals Management Service are the lead response agencies on the oil spill. For information, please visit www.restorethegulf.gov.

In Florida, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been designated the lead state agency for responding to potential impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along Florida's shoreline.

Statewide Response

Florida residents and visitors can track the state's response efforts to the oil spill by using the Florida Division of Emergency Management's GATOR tracking device. GATOR (Geospatial Assessment Tool for Operations and Response) tracks reports of oil impacts on Florida's shoreline, reconnaissance and cleanup missions, weather radar and tropical system updates using geographic data that is updated in real time. The interactive web mapping tool helps to support emergency preparedness, operations and response in Florida. (More information)

FWC Involvement

• Photo gallery: FWC employees respond to the oil spill

The FWC, working with DEP, county governments, water management districts and several federal agencies, is conducting pre-impact wildlife assessments. These include taking water samples and testing for contamination in sediments, fish and shellfish along Florida's coastline and into the Gulf of Mexico. The FWC also is evaluating critical habitat, shorebird and sea turtle nesting areas and other wildlife. These assessments will assist wildlife managers to determine potential impacts.

The FWC is also involved in locating the presence of oil. We have scientists aboard an FWC vessel offshore. Our Division of Law Enforcement has engaged 39 vessels, 3 helicopters and 2 fixed-wing aircraft to conduct regular reconnaissance flights to monitor Florida's shoreline for the presence of oil.

The FWC and DEP are setting up twice-daily beach patrols for Escambia through Okaloosa counties. Officers on ATVs will drive the beach looking for pollutants on the beach and reporting to the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Teams (SCAT), which are part of the Unified Command response.

FWC personnel are on duty at Joint Incident Command posts in Mobile, Ala., St. Petersburg, Key West and Miami, as well as at the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. Dozens of staff are working behind the scenes to coordinate all activities and communications.

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Fisheries Information

Fishing Closure in Federal Waters - NOAA Fisheries Service is enacting emergency regulations to close a portion of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to all fishing, in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Oil Spill Claims FAQs - Anyone wishing to contact BP about a claim, including a loss of profits and earning capacity claim, may review the available information at www.uscg.mil/npfc/Claims or call 800-440-0858.

Wildlife Information

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Volunteer Information

The FWC appreciates the interest expressed by many in volunteering for wildlife rehabilitation. Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are overseeing the wildlife-rehabilitation response along the Gulf coast. If you are already a wildlife rehabber, your help is needed; however, you will still need special training for working with oiled wildlife.

Please see the guidelines for becoming an oiled-wildlife rehabilitator.

For information about other volunteer opportunities related to the oil spill response, please call 866-448-5816, or visit the Volunteer Florida website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The FWC has compiled a list of answers to questions citizens may have about what they should do to prepare for or respond to the landfall of oil on Florida beaches.

Important Phone Numbers

• To report oiled wildlife: 866-557-1401.
• To discuss spill-related damage: 800-440-0858.
• To report oiled shoreline: 866-448-5816.
• To request volunteer information: 866-448-5816, or visit the Volunteer Florida website.

News Releases

• Sea turtle nests to remain on beaches of NW Florida, Alabama - 8/26/10
• Closed shrimp-harvesting area in Escambia County reopens - 8/16/10
• FWC ends relocation of sea turtle eggs in Franklin, Gulf - 8/13/10
• FWC rescuing oil-impacted sea turtles with help from Gulf fishermen - 8/6/10
• Closed fish-harvesting area in Escambia County reopens - 7/31/10
• Sea turtle nests continue to be moved - 7/25/10
• Sea turtle nests to be moved Friday - 7/22/10
• FWC encourages boaters to slow down in areas of oil cleanup efforts - 7/22/10
• Rehabbed birds given new life in Tallahassee - 7/8/10
• FWC issues order to help Pensacola Bay oyster harvesters - 7/2/10
• FWC, partners give sea turtle hatchlings a fighting chance - 7/2/10
• Florida announces oiled bird recovery plan - 7/1/10
• Barreto: "We must speak up for Florida's wildlife" - 7/1/10
• More FWC oil spill news releases...

• DEP Response Updates, and other news from the DEP Oil Spill Newsroom

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FWC Oil Spill Executive Orders

• 10-40 - Reopening State Waters of the Gulf of Mexico - 8/16/10
• 10-38 - Reopening of State Waters of Gulf of Mexico - 7/30/10
• 10-35 - Additional Oyster Harvest Days for the Pensacola Bay System - 7/2/10
• 10-33 - Waiver of Blue Crab Trap Harvest Closures - 6/28/10
• 10-32 - Additional Oyster Harvest Days and Areas for Apalachicola Bay - 6/17/10
• 10-31 - Designation of Free Saltwater Fishing Days - 6/15/10
• 10-30 - Amends EO 10-28 - 6/18/10
• 10-29 - Emergency Closure of State Waters in the Gulf - 6/13/10
• 10-28 - Extended License Year for Commercial Saltwater Licenses, Endorsements and Trap Tags - 6/11/10
• 10-27 - Early Harvest Season Opening for Bay Scallops - 6/11/10
• 10-25 - Additional Oyster Harvest Days for Apalachicola Bay - 6/4/10
• 10-23 - Temporary Suspension of Permitting for Entry into Manatee Restricted Areas for Certain Individuals Otherwise Authorized - 6/7/10
• 10-22 - Designation of Free Saltwater Fishing Days - 5/28/10
• 10-21 - Temporary Suspension of Permitting for Possession of Wildlife for Certain Individuals Otherwise Authorized - 5/26/10
• 10-20 - Extending Biscayne Bay Food Shrimp Season - 5/20/10
• 10-19 - Early Opening of the Summer Harvest Season for Oysters in Apalachicola Bay - 5/20/10
• 10-18 - Temporary Suspension of Restriction on Use of Purse Seines in Specified Waters of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties - 5/6/10

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