In Louisiana, it was the pictures of the oil-soaked pelicans and dead sea turtles that upset the residents. As the oil moves east, residents of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are contending with the expanding size of the spill.
Now, with oil pouring in to the Gulf of Mexico for almost two months, residents of the North Carolina coast are watching the flow closely to determine how it will affect tourism and the fishing industries.
The oil spill is putting a damper on the economy of the states already affected by the spill, according to Mike Walden, an agriculture and resource economics professor.
“We don’t know yet what type of effect the oil spill will have on tourism and the economy in North Carolina. If the oil gets here, and we see the same effects that are being seen in the Gulf Coast, we could see some major adverse effects,” said Walden.
According to Walden, the oil spill could impact both tourism and the fishing industries. Both these industries are vital to people living on the North Carolina coast.
Alex Venegas, a sophomore in aerospace engineering, lives at Holden Beach. He hasn’t heard anyone talking about how the oil spill is going to affect businesses in the area.
“The oil spill hasn’t really affected us here. At least, I haven’t heard any one talk about it,” said Venegas. “The oil is still a long ways off from getting here, but it seems quieter than in past years around town.”
Caroline Harman-Scott, a sophomore in animal science, lives in Manteo, on the Outer Banks. She said that people around her town are worried.
“If the oil gets into the Gulf Stream, it will be coming to the Outer Banks, and if that happens, the fishing and tourism industry will be completely destroyed. Our economy is basically split between fishing and tourism and the effects would be devastating,” Harman-Scott said. “We are already being hit hard by the recession, and if the oil comes here, countless people and businesses will be broken.”
Harman-Scott also expressed the national worry about sea life and the negative effects the oil could and will have on endangered sea life.
“Not to mention what the oil will do to our sea life. Our turtles are already endangered and this could completely wipe them out,” said Harman-Scott.
Families planning trips to the beach are taking different approaches on planning for the oil reaching the North Carolina coast. Amanda Brooks, a sophomore in First Year College, said she plans to travel to the coast at the end of June with her family.
Brooks said, “Short of the oil getting here soon, we won’t cancel. But if we heard it was in the area, we’d probably have to cancel the trip.”
Venegas easily summed up the attitude of a lot of students and beach-goers.
“I haven’t really kept close tabs on where the oil is. I know it’s not to North Carolina yet,” said Venegas. “The oil will probably get here later, maybe at the end of the summer. Then it will be more of a big deal for us.”