Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Condo Owner Fall Issue Hits Owners' Mailboxes, Newsstands
The new issue of Condo Owner magazine has hit owners' mailboxes and newsstands in select destinations in the South.
This issue's cover story is dedicated to the coastal comeback the region is working to make through various concerts, festivals and other events designed to attract tourists for overnight stays.
Other topics addressed in this special issue include condo sales post-spill, conflict resolution, making emergency and final claims with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility center, interior design, and more.
Haven't gotten your issue yet? E-mail us at info@condo-owner.com, or call our offices at (800) 968-0712 or (251) 968-5300 for a copy.
This issue's cover story is dedicated to the coastal comeback the region is working to make through various concerts, festivals and other events designed to attract tourists for overnight stays.
Other topics addressed in this special issue include condo sales post-spill, conflict resolution, making emergency and final claims with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility center, interior design, and more.
Haven't gotten your issue yet? E-mail us at info@condo-owner.com, or call our offices at (800) 968-0712 or (251) 968-5300 for a copy.
Friday, October 29, 2010
NOAA, FDA Test For Dispersant in Gulf Seafood; All Samples Test Within Safety Threshold
WASHINGTON—Building upon the extensive testing and protocols already in use by federal, state and local officials for the fishing waters of the Gulf, NOAA and FDA have developed and are using a chemical test to detect dispersants used in the Deepwater Horizon-BP oil spill in fish, oysters, crab and shrimp. Trace amounts of the chemicals used in dispersants are common, and levels for safety have been previously set.
Experts trained in a rigorous sensory analysis process have been testing Gulf seafood for the presence of contaminants, and every seafood sample from reopened waters has passed sensory testing for contamination with oil and dispersant. Nonetheless, to ensure consumers have total confidence in the safety of seafood being harvested from the Gulf, NOAA and FDA have added this second test for dispersant when considering reopening Gulf waters to fishing.
Using this new, second test, in the Gulf scientists have tested 1,735 tissue samples including more than half of those collected to reopen Gulf of Mexico federal waters. Only a few showed trace amounts of dispersants residue (13 of the 1,735) and they were well below the safety threshold of 100 parts per million for finfish and 500 parts per million for shrimp, crabs and oysters. As such, they do not pose a threat to human health.
The new test detects dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, known as DOSS, a major component of the dispersants used in the Gulf. DOSS is also approved by FDA for use in various household products and over-the-counter medication at very low levels. The best scientific data to date indicates that DOSS does not build up in fish tissues.
“The rigorous testing we have done from the very beginning gives us confidence in the safety of seafood being brought to market from the Gulf,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary for commerce and NOAA administrator. “This test adds another layer of information, reinforcing our findings to date that seafood from the Gulf remains safe.”
“This new test should help strengthen consumer confidence in Gulf seafood,” said Margaret A. Hamburg, Ph.D., commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. “The overwhelming majority of the seafood tested shows no detectable residue, and not one of the samples shows a residue level that would be harmful for humans. There is no question Gulf seafood coming to market is safe from oil or dispersant residue.”
The 1,735 samples tested so far were collected from June to September and cover a wide area of the Gulf. The samples come from open areas in state and federal waters, and from fishermen who brought fish to the docks at the request of federal seafood analysts. The samples come from a range of species, including grouper, tuna, wahoo, swordfish, gray snapper, butterfish, red drum, croaker, and shrimp, crabs and oysters.
Previous research provided information about how finfish metabolize DOSS, and at FDA’s Dauphin Island, Alabama lab, scientists undertook further exposure experiments on fish, oysters and crab; similar experiments on shrimp were held at NOAA’s Galveston, Texas lab. These exposure studies further support that fish, crustaceans and shellfish quickly clear dispersant from their tissues, and provided samples with known concentrations for use as standards for validating the methodology. Samples undergoing chemical analysis are always accompanied by standards with known concentrations of DOSS, to verify the equipment continues to measure the compound accurately.
Nearly 9,444 square miles, or about 4 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf are still closed to commercial and recreational fishing.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of more than a trillion dollars worth of products that are critical for the survival and well-being of all Americans. Find FDA online at http://www.fda.gov.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.
On the Web:
NOAA and FDA DOSS Data summary: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/Seafood/ucm210970.htm
Back to www.condo-owner.com
Experts trained in a rigorous sensory analysis process have been testing Gulf seafood for the presence of contaminants, and every seafood sample from reopened waters has passed sensory testing for contamination with oil and dispersant. Nonetheless, to ensure consumers have total confidence in the safety of seafood being harvested from the Gulf, NOAA and FDA have added this second test for dispersant when considering reopening Gulf waters to fishing.
Using this new, second test, in the Gulf scientists have tested 1,735 tissue samples including more than half of those collected to reopen Gulf of Mexico federal waters. Only a few showed trace amounts of dispersants residue (13 of the 1,735) and they were well below the safety threshold of 100 parts per million for finfish and 500 parts per million for shrimp, crabs and oysters. As such, they do not pose a threat to human health.
The new test detects dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, known as DOSS, a major component of the dispersants used in the Gulf. DOSS is also approved by FDA for use in various household products and over-the-counter medication at very low levels. The best scientific data to date indicates that DOSS does not build up in fish tissues.
“The rigorous testing we have done from the very beginning gives us confidence in the safety of seafood being brought to market from the Gulf,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary for commerce and NOAA administrator. “This test adds another layer of information, reinforcing our findings to date that seafood from the Gulf remains safe.”
“This new test should help strengthen consumer confidence in Gulf seafood,” said Margaret A. Hamburg, Ph.D., commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. “The overwhelming majority of the seafood tested shows no detectable residue, and not one of the samples shows a residue level that would be harmful for humans. There is no question Gulf seafood coming to market is safe from oil or dispersant residue.”
The 1,735 samples tested so far were collected from June to September and cover a wide area of the Gulf. The samples come from open areas in state and federal waters, and from fishermen who brought fish to the docks at the request of federal seafood analysts. The samples come from a range of species, including grouper, tuna, wahoo, swordfish, gray snapper, butterfish, red drum, croaker, and shrimp, crabs and oysters.
Previous research provided information about how finfish metabolize DOSS, and at FDA’s Dauphin Island, Alabama lab, scientists undertook further exposure experiments on fish, oysters and crab; similar experiments on shrimp were held at NOAA’s Galveston, Texas lab. These exposure studies further support that fish, crustaceans and shellfish quickly clear dispersant from their tissues, and provided samples with known concentrations for use as standards for validating the methodology. Samples undergoing chemical analysis are always accompanied by standards with known concentrations of DOSS, to verify the equipment continues to measure the compound accurately.
Nearly 9,444 square miles, or about 4 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf are still closed to commercial and recreational fishing.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of more than a trillion dollars worth of products that are critical for the survival and well-being of all Americans. Find FDA online at http://www.fda.gov.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.
On the Web:
NOAA and FDA DOSS Data summary: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/Product-SpecificInformation/Seafood/ucm210970.htm
Back to www.condo-owner.com
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Unified Command Update Oct. 27
NEW ORLEANS--(ENEWSPF)--Oct. 27, 2010. The following information is an operations update from the Unified Area Command for the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Approximately 11,186 personnel are currently responding to protect the shoreline, wildlife and cleanup vital coastlines.
Fourteen shoreline cleanup assessment teams are working in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. These SCATs respond to new reports of oil and systematically clean identified oiled areas.
More than 1,332 tons of recyclable waste, including oily liquid & oily solid waste, has been processed.
NOAA reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 6,879 square miles of Gulf waters about 180-200 nautical miles south of the Florida panhandle, between the Florida-Alabama state line and Cape San Blas, Fla. This is the ninth reopening in federal waters since July 22. The remaining closed area now covers 16,481 square miles, or about 7 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf.
Approximately 93 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline are currently experiencing moderate to heavy oil impacts-approximately 86 miles in Louisiana, 6 miles in Mississippi and less than two miles in Alabama and Florida.
Approximately 483 miles of shoreline are experiencing light to trace oil impacts-approximately 226 miles in Louisiana, 78 miles in Mississippi, 60 miles in Alabama, and 119 miles in Florida.
Approximately 11,186 personnel are currently responding to protect the shoreline, wildlife and cleanup vital coastlines.
Fourteen shoreline cleanup assessment teams are working in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. These SCATs respond to new reports of oil and systematically clean identified oiled areas.
More than 1,332 tons of recyclable waste, including oily liquid & oily solid waste, has been processed.
NOAA reopened to commercial and recreational fishing 6,879 square miles of Gulf waters about 180-200 nautical miles south of the Florida panhandle, between the Florida-Alabama state line and Cape San Blas, Fla. This is the ninth reopening in federal waters since July 22. The remaining closed area now covers 16,481 square miles, or about 7 percent of the federal waters in the Gulf.
Approximately 93 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline are currently experiencing moderate to heavy oil impacts-approximately 86 miles in Louisiana, 6 miles in Mississippi and less than two miles in Alabama and Florida.
Approximately 483 miles of shoreline are experiencing light to trace oil impacts-approximately 226 miles in Louisiana, 78 miles in Mississippi, 60 miles in Alabama, and 119 miles in Florida.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
BP Awards $10 To Florida For Seafood Testing, $10 Million For Tourism
TAMPA (2010-10-26) -
BP is giving the state of Florida $20 million more in response to the Gulf oil spill six months ago. Ten million of that will aid in seafood testing, and $10 million will support tourism marketing efforts over the next three years.The new funds will not affect the current BP claims process for individuals and businesses in the state, according to Florida Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Liz Compton. And she says this agreement is not a cap on BP's payments to Florida.
"If we go three years and nothing's found, everything's fine, we've restored the public's confidence, the agreement comes to an end," says Compton. "If we start finding something in the seafood, it launches another three years with another $20 million."
Compton says an estimated 75 percent of consumers are eating Gulf seafood again, but only three percent are eating it as frequently as before.
©2010 WUSF. All rights reserved.
Mötley Crüe, brought to you by BP
FORTUNE -- It's hard to believe that hiring Mötley Crüe to headline a three-day concert in Mobile was the best use of $600,000 of the $65 million BP paid the state of Alabama for the gulf oil spill. But Lee Sentell, Alabama's director of tourism and travel, says it went "where it would have the biggest impact" -- which he felt was Mobile's nonprofit BayFest concert on Oct. 1-3.
It featured not just the Crüe but also Earth, Wind & Fire and Lady Antebellum, and offered, says BayFest director Bobby Bostwick, a good return on investment.
"We pay [4%] taxes on every ticket, every beer, every Pepsi," he says, generating at least $28 million to ease the tourism hit Mobile took this year. Then there was the psychic relief. Organizers charged just $15 a day, letting people bang their heads against something other than the threat of unemployment
Rock on.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
NOAA, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Audubon Nature Institute Return Sea Turtles to Gulf Waters
Scientists from NOAA, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Audubon Nature Institute joined with Coast Guard Rear Admiral Roy A. Nash today to return 33 sea turtles to Gulf of Mexico waters offshore of Louisiana. This is the first release of rehabilitated sea turtles to the waters near where they were rescued from oil more than three months ago—after extensive analysis to determine that the area is clean and a safe habitat for the turtles.
“Today’s release would not have been possible if all the partners had not worked tirelessly during the oil spill to search for, rescue and rehabilitate the sea turtles,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “We are able to release these turtles because they’re now healthy and we’re seeing recovery in the surface habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. They are being released within federal waters off the coast of Louisiana that earlier this month, NOAA reopened to fishing. This was another important sign of improvement in the health of the Gulf of Mexico.”
Scientists selected the release location, approximately 40 miles southwest of Grand Isle, La., after conducting thorough aerial and shipboard surveys earlier this week to locate clean sargassum algae habitat for the sea turtles. Young sea turtles, such as those released today, spend the early years of their lives swimming and feeding in large floating sargassum algae mats that form in convergence zones where currents meet. Sargassum mats provide protection for turtles from predators as well as a variety of prey for food, including small crabs, snails and other creatures.
“I am excited to see these turtles returned to the waters from which they had been rescued during the spill – they’re going home today,” said Rear Adm. Nash, deputy federal on-scene coordinator for the ongoing clean-up operations. “Today’s release is possible because of the efforts of many to rehabilitate the turtles, and to ensure the Gulf waters are ready for their return. This is an encouraging sign that the Gulf of Mexico is recovering.”
The 33 turtles released today included species of green, Kemp’s ridley, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles. Green, Kemp’s ridley and hawksbill sea turtles are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Loggerheads are currently listed as threatened.
“For our staff, today has been long-awaited. Returning sea turtles to waters off the Louisiana coast is evidence of the incredible partnership between our biologists and enforcement agents, and our partnerships with local and federal agencies. Not only did our staff dedicate long days for months on end to the search, rescue and recovery of sea turtles and mammals, but they were committed even when the required tasks went above and beyond their jobs,” said Randy Pausina, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries assistant secretary for the state’s office of fisheries. “Returning this group of sea turtles to their home waters is more than a great achievement for all of our dedicated staff, it is a sign that Louisiana is on the path towards recovery.”
The turtles released today were rescued by teams from NOAA, LDWF, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Riverhead Foundation and the In-Water Research Group. The turtles received extensive treatment and care, including cleaning and de-oiling, at the Audubon Nature Institute outside New Orleans.
"Six months ago, it was nearly impossible to imagine this day would ever come," said Ron Forman, president and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute. "Audubon is privileged to have played a key role in this remarkable recovery. Words can't begin to describe how proud I am of our team and their incredible effort in rehabilitating nearly 200 turtles."
More than 500 live turtles were rescued during the Gulf oil spill and about 400 heavily oiled turtles were placed in rehabilitation. Those not placed in rehabilitation were immediately released in healthy surface habitats because they were lightly oiled and did not require rehabilitation, Today’s release brings to 270 the number of rehabilitated turtles that have been returned to the Gulf of Mexico. The turtles remaining in rehabilitation facilities will be released as they are given clean bills of health.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.
For more on how the Gulf Coast is recovering from the oil spill 6 months later, log onto our website at www.condo-owner.com or sign up for our monthly newsletters at http://www.condo-owner.com/newssignup.html
“Today’s release would not have been possible if all the partners had not worked tirelessly during the oil spill to search for, rescue and rehabilitate the sea turtles,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “We are able to release these turtles because they’re now healthy and we’re seeing recovery in the surface habitats of the Gulf of Mexico. They are being released within federal waters off the coast of Louisiana that earlier this month, NOAA reopened to fishing. This was another important sign of improvement in the health of the Gulf of Mexico.”
Scientists selected the release location, approximately 40 miles southwest of Grand Isle, La., after conducting thorough aerial and shipboard surveys earlier this week to locate clean sargassum algae habitat for the sea turtles. Young sea turtles, such as those released today, spend the early years of their lives swimming and feeding in large floating sargassum algae mats that form in convergence zones where currents meet. Sargassum mats provide protection for turtles from predators as well as a variety of prey for food, including small crabs, snails and other creatures.
“I am excited to see these turtles returned to the waters from which they had been rescued during the spill – they’re going home today,” said Rear Adm. Nash, deputy federal on-scene coordinator for the ongoing clean-up operations. “Today’s release is possible because of the efforts of many to rehabilitate the turtles, and to ensure the Gulf waters are ready for their return. This is an encouraging sign that the Gulf of Mexico is recovering.”
The 33 turtles released today included species of green, Kemp’s ridley, hawksbill and loggerhead sea turtles. Green, Kemp’s ridley and hawksbill sea turtles are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Loggerheads are currently listed as threatened.
“For our staff, today has been long-awaited. Returning sea turtles to waters off the Louisiana coast is evidence of the incredible partnership between our biologists and enforcement agents, and our partnerships with local and federal agencies. Not only did our staff dedicate long days for months on end to the search, rescue and recovery of sea turtles and mammals, but they were committed even when the required tasks went above and beyond their jobs,” said Randy Pausina, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries assistant secretary for the state’s office of fisheries. “Returning this group of sea turtles to their home waters is more than a great achievement for all of our dedicated staff, it is a sign that Louisiana is on the path towards recovery.”
The turtles released today were rescued by teams from NOAA, LDWF, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Riverhead Foundation and the In-Water Research Group. The turtles received extensive treatment and care, including cleaning and de-oiling, at the Audubon Nature Institute outside New Orleans.
"Six months ago, it was nearly impossible to imagine this day would ever come," said Ron Forman, president and CEO of the Audubon Nature Institute. "Audubon is privileged to have played a key role in this remarkable recovery. Words can't begin to describe how proud I am of our team and their incredible effort in rehabilitating nearly 200 turtles."
More than 500 live turtles were rescued during the Gulf oil spill and about 400 heavily oiled turtles were placed in rehabilitation. Those not placed in rehabilitation were immediately released in healthy surface habitats because they were lightly oiled and did not require rehabilitation, Today’s release brings to 270 the number of rehabilitated turtles that have been returned to the Gulf of Mexico. The turtles remaining in rehabilitation facilities will be released as they are given clean bills of health.
NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.
For more on how the Gulf Coast is recovering from the oil spill 6 months later, log onto our website at www.condo-owner.com or sign up for our monthly newsletters at http://www.condo-owner.com/newssignup.html
Monday, October 18, 2010
Big Weekend On The Gulf Coast
GULF SHORES, Ala.—Thanks to cash from BP, it was a big weekend here on the Alabama Gulf Coast, as Bon Jovi performed Friday night (in front of me and 35,000+ of his biggest fans), the Thunder on the Gulf powerboats roared up and down the gulf, and Brad Paisley performed on Sunday night.
Tickets to the BP-funded concerts were free to those who rented condos for the weekend, bus transportation from parking areas was provided free of charge, and all you had to do was find an advantageous spot on the sugar-white sands to see the powerboats blow by.
And, some of you might recall that last weekend was the Annual National Shrimp Festival, where it was shoulder-to-shoulder pedestrian traffic at the public beach.
Grocery stores were busy, restaurants were catering to patrons, bars were hopping, and it was a rockin' good time for everybody who visited!
Alan Jackson will perform Saturday, October 30th at the Wharf. It's the last of the "Concerts for the Coast" series...a program aimed at bringing people back to the beach and provide a little fun for communities hit hard by the oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
The “Concerts For The Coast” series kicked-off with Jimmy Buffett & Friends: Live from The Gulf Coast on July 11. This nationally televised event hosted 35,000 fans on the Gulf Shores Public Beach. The series continued with a September 25 performance by Hank Williams Jr. and Gretchen Wilson at The Wharf. Bon Jovi (October 15) and Brad Paisley (October 17) performed free concerts on Gulf Shores Public Beach.
—Blog by Kristen McIntosh. Photo by Clayton Wallace
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