Gulf Seafood Landings by Species & Geographic Area after the 2010 Oil Spill and Equitable Compensation from the Seafood Compensation Program

Abstract

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill and subsequent use of dispersants and freshwater diversions resulted in lost harvest revenues, oyster mortality, and damage to oyster beds. We estimated Gulf-wide revenue losses and oyster lease property damages from 2010-2012 totaling approximately $282 million. Estimated compensation payments of $997 million had previously been distributed to the fishery groups considered in this report, equaling an overall ratio of 3.5 times estimated losses and damages, with estimated ratios ranging from 0.6 to 5.8 for various fishery groups. We recommended that subsequent distributions be modified to achieve a uniform total distribution/damage ratio for all fishery groups.