What You Missed: Open for Questions on Gulf Seafood Safety with Dr. Lubchenco

Posted by White House

Yesterday, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dr. Jane Lubchenco, dropped by the White House for a live chat on the safety of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico. You can check out the full video of the chat or skip to the questions you’re most interested in below.

For more information on the safety of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, click here.

• Opening remarks
• How do we know our seafood in markets and restaurants is safe?
• Is the federal government testing seafood for dispersants?
• Will seafood from the gulf be identified by its packaging?
• What are the long term effects of the oil spill on seafood from the Gulf?
• How is the federal government working with states to determine which waters are safe for fishing?
• What is the government doing to ensure that people aren’t illegally fishing in federal waters?
• Should we be concerned about fish from outside the Gulf of Mexico?
• What is NOAA’s role in ensuring seafood safety vs. the FDA or the Coast Guard?
• Will the price of seafood from the gulf go up dramatically because of the oil spill?
• Will inspectors be dockside to inspect boats and seafood?
• Are we accepting help from other countries or other organizations that are helping to test seafood?
• Is the government granting any waivers to fish in waters that are currently closed?
• Which areas have been opened and how many areas are currently open for fishing?
• What is the process of sensory and chemical tests that seafood samples go through?
• How long will the government continue to test fish in the Gulf of Mexico?
• Has inland fishing been affected by the oil spill?
• How can people help support commercial fishers in the Gulf?
• If origin labeling is not mandatory, how can consumers find out where their seafood is coming from?
• Is NOAA working with independent scientists on the seafood safety issue?
• Conclusion

Stay up to date with Dr. Lubchenco and NOAA on Facebook.

Open for Questions: Gulf Seafood Safety with Dr. Jane Lubchenco

Posted by White House

On Monday, 2 PM EDT, Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Dr. Jane Lubchenco will host a live chat to answer your questions about the safety of seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

The men and women of the Gulf who make their livelihood harvesting fish, shrimp, and oysters have been among those hardest hit by this spill. Enjoying some local seafood is one simple way Americans can support the people of the Gulf who have been battered by this spill. If you have questions about the safety of seafood from the Gulf, be sure to tune in Monday at 2 PM at WhiteHouse.gov/live. You can also submit your questions ahead of time via Facebook or our webform.

Vice President Biden’s Visit to Alabama

Posted by White House

Today, Vice President Biden traveled to Theodore, Alabama to assess efforts to counter the BP oil spill. During the visit, the Vice President toured the Theodore Staging Facility and met with fisherman and small business owners from the area. He was joined by National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco.

Afterwards, Vice President Biden delivered a statement to the press. The Vice President stressed the Administration’s commitment to restoring the Gulf Coast:

We’re not going to stop until this area, all the entire Gulf, has recovered; until the economy of the Gulf is revitalized and literally a way of life is restored. Because we’re not just talking about a natural ecosystem that’s in danger down here, we’re talking about an economic ecosystem. We’re also talking about a cultural ecosystem, a whole way of life.

He said, “Whatever it takes to make this Gulf right, we’re going to make it right.” This is Vice President Biden’s second trip to the Gulf Coast to survey recovery and relief efforts.