Parts of the Gulf of Mexico are like a holiday postcard.
The water colour changes from deep blue to green, the birdlife is all around and the marine life is magnificent. No wonder the region is such a popular tourist destination and hot spot for leisure fishing.
But for thousands of people who live here, the water is their lifeline. Their hauls of fish, crab and shrimp are their pay cheque. All of this is now under threat from a huge oil slick.
We spent six hours on a boat in the Gulf, and seeing everything that’s at risk was heartbreaking.
The two boat skippers who gave us a tour knew the Gulf intimately, pointing out the best fishing spots, explaining how the brown pelican population had returned after being on the brink of extinction and taking us to the beautiful Chandeleur Islands.
Dotted along the ocean’s surface every couple of kilometres are constant reminders of the giant oil industry.
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