Oyster Crisis

"Arthur Etienne Jr. hangs his head over the side of the Lady Pamela. He worries that if oyster populations don't improve, he'll be forced to move. (Bryan Thomas)"

            The BP oil spill has a lasting impact upon the people who used the Gulf of Mexico for livelihood. The oil spill has still caused a decrease in the oyster production. This decrease directly affects the profit of the oyster fisheries in the area. Many of the fishers in the area have therefore seen hard times that have yet to get better. These hard times have caused many of the fishers to move to other areas or to change jobs. The oyster decrease has caused hopelessness and worry to spread among the people of the Gulf of Mexico. Many have had to leave the area due to the decreased sea-life available for capturing. They have moved elsewhere and taken some of the profits to the area with them. This has caused a decreased economy in the area and has so decreased the money allotted to tourism advertisement.

            The image shows a man with his head bent looking over the water. It can easily be assumed that he is on his boat. The bend of the man’s head speaks of someone who is weary. Also, it conveys that he is having troubling times. The lighting of the image also helps to convey the hopelessness of the man through the dark corners and the greys used in the image. This man appears to be representative of the people who depended upon the Gulf of Mexico as a way to sustain their life. The boat looks in great need of repair and it can be inferred that the money for repair cannot be gained. Looking at the sides of the image, oyster baskets cannot be seen. This indicates the trip has been very unfruitful and will result in an unhappy outcome for the fisherman. The caption to the photo indicates that the man may have to leave like so many others have had to.

Click here to see image in original place