Did you know that Alabama’s coastal area includes 607 miles of shoreline with over 400,000 acres of estuaries? Talk about having plenty to see!

Captain Chris Nelson was our guide.

Our adventure started in Foley, at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve.  It was a 4-mile kayak (round-trip) that took us into Wolf Bay near Orange Beach, AL.  We went from fresh water to salt water and back to fresh water.

Now, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast what I’m about to say next –may come as no surprise.  But as soon as you hit the water, the kind of peace you experience is hard to put into words.  The water is calm.  The rhythm from paddling is hypnotizing.  And the sounds of nature, like the different calls from shore birds, offer such tranquility.

We saw just about everything you could imagine on our trip:

Swamp Iris, Coastal Morning Glory, Wax Myrtle aka Bayberry, Red-winged Blackbirds, Great Blue Herons, Ospreys, jellyfish, a couple of snakes and a whole of lot of wasps’ nests.

It was quite the experience and especially for my 4-year-old son.

The Gulf Coast is filled with such beauty.  My only wish is that I had more time to get out and enjoy it.

August 16, 2010

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources Division (MRD) announces the re-opening to the harvest of fish from all areas previously closed as a precautionary response to the presence of oil from the Deepwater Horizon Incident. These areas include all Alabama Gulf of Mexico waters out to three miles and the remaining closed waters of Mobile Bay that are just north of the Fort Morgan Peninsula. These waters reopened at 6 a.m., Monday, August 16. This includes both commercial and recreational fishing. In addition to finfish, the area north of Fort Morgan is also open to shrimping.

ADCNR has worked closely with the Alabama Department of Public Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to ensure the health and safety of the public during the events following the Deepwater Horizon incident. In correspondence addressing the results of recent testing of seafood from the remaining closed areas, the FDA states that, “Sensory evaluation of 50 finfish and 16 shrimp samples for odors indicative of contamination was conducted on August 11-12, 2010. No samples demonstrated odors indicative of oil or dispersant contamination. After sensory evaluation, the samples were forwarded to a chemistry laboratory for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) analysis. Compositing of like species from like sample locations resulted in 10 separate finfish and three separate shrimp samples for PAH analysis. All samples were analyzed using the LC-Fluorescence method. The chemical analyses were completed on August 13, 2010. PAH levels in all samples are significantly below the levels of concern established in the reopening protocol, which was agreed upon by Alabama officials, NOAA and FDA.”

Harvest of crabs is still prohibited in all areas that were closed including the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi Sound, Pelican Bay and the area in Mobile Bay north of Fort Morgan. Analyses are currently being conducted on blue crabs from affected areas. The results will be made public as soon as they are received.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions:  Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

(From L to R) Jason Smith, Bob Grip, Jeff Collier, Stan Wright, Tony Kennon, Robert Craft

If you’re interested in the oil spill in the Gulf (and who isn’t nowadays), take some time and watch the conversation we had with the mayors of 4 coastal Alabama cities Thursday afternoon.

It took a little work to get Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier, Bayou La Batre Mayor Stan Wright, Orange Beach Mayor Tony Kennon and Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft to arrange their schedules to meet in one place for the conversation, but I think it was worth it. I hope you will, too.

We talked for nearly an hour on everything from how the mayors rated the responsiveness of BP to the spill; to how to maintain basic services in the face of declining sales and property taxes; the work underway to fill in the “Katrina cut” on Dauphin Island, and the impact of the spill on the tourism and recreational boating industries.

At the conclusion of the conversation, I asked all 4 mayors if they were optimistic or pessimistic about the future.  Two said they were optimistic, two said they were realistic.  To find out who said what, click on the link.

All offshore Federal waters within 100 miles of here are closed – no fishing of any kind. The area of Federal waters begins off our beaches by 3-7 miles and extends beyond the range of most boats. Updates can be found at:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/

Some state waters are open, however…

Mississippi State Waters: all areas along Gulf beaches and MS Sound are closed, no fishing, period. Back bays and bayous are open. Updates can be found at:

http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/

Alabama State Waters: MS Sound and Gulf Beaches – catch and release only. Mobile Bay is fully open to fishing except for a small area right at the mouth of the bay. Updates can be found at:

http://outdooralabama.com/fishing/saltwater/DH.cfm

Florida State Waters: (Gulf Beaches) Perdido Key to Pensacola Beach – catch and release only. Everything else is fully open. Updates can be found at:

http://myfwc.com/OilSpill/index.htm

Catch and Release Trend…

Florida started this concept and all other Gulf Coast States have followed along. You can fish, but all species must be returned to the water immediately. Louisiana has extensive areas that are closed, but now allow catch and release fishing as of June 6^th.

Mississippi is the only state that prohibits catch and release fishing in the “caution” areas.

”This option has been on the table for some time now and is part of our ongoing effort to be proactive as we continue to write the playbook on this event,” said Chief of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Robert Branham.

”Many fish for the pure pleasure of catching and then releasing already. We see no reason why that activity can’t continue,” said Alabama Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley.

There are no reports of tainted fish in our waters. The affects of hydrocarbons on fish are still be studied. Expect more changes as we go along…

T.D. One should become Tropical Storm Alex tonight or Saturday. This feature will have a short opportunity to strengthen before hitting Mexico Sunday. Upper level winds, atmospheric moisture, and water temperatures all promote strengthening in the short term.

The system should weaken over the Yucatan on Sunday and head back over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Two scenarios are possible with the future forecast track once it gets back into the Gulf. Several reliable models take the system west towards Mexico or south Texas. Or, an unusual frontal system may track through our area and stall in the northern Gulf. This feature would steer the system towards the northern Gulf Coast.  

If a system makes landfall in Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama… the impacts would be severe due to the large amount of oil off our beaches.
The forecast is for the system to remain a tropical storm. But, even a weak storm would bring higher tides and rough seas.

If the system takes a westward track into Texas, then we would see some swells and an increase s’east breeze. This would be a much better scenario for us.

Predicted timeline….

Saturday: In Caribbean, likely a Tropical Storm

Sunday: Over the Yucatan, as a Depression

Sunday Night/Monday: Emerges into the Gulf as a Depression

Tuesday: A Tropical Storm in the Gulf

Wednesday/Thursday/Friday: Possible Landfall, most likely as a tropical storm

Effective immediately, the Alabama Department of Conservation announces the opening for recreational catch and release fishing in State waters closed to fishing in response to the presence of oil. Closed State waters include all Gulf waters out to the 3-mile State/Federal line, Mississippi Sound avoiding Katrina Cut, and the area south of a line extending east from Mobile Ship Channel Marker 22 to Little Point Clear. Anglers shall not keep or possess fish while in closed waters. All fishing remains prohibited in Federal waters. Anglers are reminded to stay clear of booms and booming operations, all working vessels, and areas with visible oil and/or sheen.

The following protective measures are advised:
• Avoid direct skin contact with the oil.
• If you get oil or tar balls on your skin, wash with soap and water.
• Launder clothing as usual if you get oil on it.
• There is no need to use harsh detergents, solvents or other chemicals to wash oil from skin or clothing, and it is discouraged.

Some people also may be sensitive to any change in air quality, which could cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or headaches. If you have these symptoms, we recommend that you leave the area. If these symptoms do not improve, you should then consider contacting your primary care physician or other health care provider for medical advice. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness, you should consider communicating with your physician if you feel symptomatic. If you come into contact with an area of strong odor, it is recommended that you move to another location.

“Many fish for the pure pleasure of catching and then releasing already. We see no reason why that activity can’t continue,” said Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions:  Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries