Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Unseen Devastation of the BP Oil "Spill" Made Visible
The five watercolors below were inspired by my anger and sadness over the damage the BP oil “spill” has caused to the creatures of the Gulf of Mexico and their environment. I use Chinese brush painting technique and Byzantine art imagery to show how these creatures have been “crucified” in the name of pride and greed – our greed for more and more energy producing resources such as oil, and our pride in thinking that these resources are there for our taking no matter what the cost to nature and ultimately ourselves.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle Profile
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
1. In Atlantic Ocean, most loggerheads found along southeastern coast of North America and in Gulf of Mexico; 80% nest on south Florida beaches
2. Loggerheads reach sexual maturity late, at 20-30 years old
3. Endangered globally; greatest threat is accidental capture in fishing gear and direct harvest of adults
4. After BP oil disaster, many found dead
1. In Atlantic Ocean, most loggerheads found along southeastern coast of North America and in Gulf of Mexico; 80% nest on south Florida beaches
2. Loggerheads reach sexual maturity late, at 20-30 years old
3. Endangered globally; greatest threat is accidental capture in fishing gear and direct harvest of adults
4. After BP oil disaster, many found dead
Bluefin Tuna Profile
Bluefin Tuna
1. The Gulf of Mexico is one of only two bluefin nurseries worldwide
2. Unlike most tunas, bluefin slow growing and late maturing
3. Critically endangered globally; popular to eat for humans, so severely overfished
4. Presently okay in Gulf, but it took 3 years for the Exxon oil disaster in Alaska to destroy the herring stock; it still hasn’t recovered
1. The Gulf of Mexico is one of only two bluefin nurseries worldwide
2. Unlike most tunas, bluefin slow growing and late maturing
3. Critically endangered globally; popular to eat for humans, so severely overfished
4. Presently okay in Gulf, but it took 3 years for the Exxon oil disaster in Alaska to destroy the herring stock; it still hasn’t recovered
Blue Crab Profile
Blue Crab
1. Although widely distributed, they are mong the most heavily harvested creatures on the planet
2. Important as prey and predator in their ecosystem; food for herons, sea turtles and many bird species and prey on clams, oysters, mussels, snails and a wide variety of vegetable and animal matter
3. Are very sensitive to environmental and habitat changes, and many populations, in the Chesapeake Bay for example, have declined; harmed by low oxygen caused by pollutants
4. Females mate only once in their lives, and spawn where oil was most concentrated – the coastal beaches and near-shore Gulf; additionally, after spawn the crab is most vulnerable to pollutants as it grows from egg to juvenile
1. Although widely distributed, they are mong the most heavily harvested creatures on the planet
2. Important as prey and predator in their ecosystem; food for herons, sea turtles and many bird species and prey on clams, oysters, mussels, snails and a wide variety of vegetable and animal matter
3. Are very sensitive to environmental and habitat changes, and many populations, in the Chesapeake Bay for example, have declined; harmed by low oxygen caused by pollutants
4. Females mate only once in their lives, and spawn where oil was most concentrated – the coastal beaches and near-shore Gulf; additionally, after spawn the crab is most vulnerable to pollutants as it grows from egg to juvenile
Gulf Shrimp Profile
Gulf Shrimp
1. Pink, white and brown shrimp live in Gulf; white and especially brown are most commonly harvested for human consumption
2. Larval and juvenile shrimp are important food for many marine and estuarine fish; shrimp recycle basic nutrients by feeding on organic matter and microorganisms in sediments
3. During early stages of life - eggs, larvae, maturing larvae, young juveniles - many chances to be exposed to oil
1. Pink, white and brown shrimp live in Gulf; white and especially brown are most commonly harvested for human consumption
2. Larval and juvenile shrimp are important food for many marine and estuarine fish; shrimp recycle basic nutrients by feeding on organic matter and microorganisms in sediments
3. During early stages of life - eggs, larvae, maturing larvae, young juveniles - many chances to be exposed to oil
Brown Pelican Profile
Brown Pelican
1. Found in Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coast
2. Congregate in large, diverse flocks of juveniles and adults, males and females, for most of the year
3. Was nearly extinct due to the use of its feathers for hats, then fishermen killed them believing they were destroying their catch, use of the pesticide DDT caused their eggs to be flimsy so chicks died; conservation efforts brought them back – now only of Special Concern
4. With BP oil disaster, many effected by oil; sticks to their feathers causing them to mat and separate, which impairs waterproofing and exposes their sensitive skin to extremes in temperature; lose their buoyancy; when preening to remove oil, ingest oil which can severely damage their internal organs; preening to exclusion of other crucial activities – eating and avoiding predators. They may live after careful rehab, but it’s uncertain if they’ll be able to reproduce
1. Found in Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coast
2. Congregate in large, diverse flocks of juveniles and adults, males and females, for most of the year
3. Was nearly extinct due to the use of its feathers for hats, then fishermen killed them believing they were destroying their catch, use of the pesticide DDT caused their eggs to be flimsy so chicks died; conservation efforts brought them back – now only of Special Concern
4. With BP oil disaster, many effected by oil; sticks to their feathers causing them to mat and separate, which impairs waterproofing and exposes their sensitive skin to extremes in temperature; lose their buoyancy; when preening to remove oil, ingest oil which can severely damage their internal organs; preening to exclusion of other crucial activities – eating and avoiding predators. They may live after careful rehab, but it’s uncertain if they’ll be able to reproduce
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
