Concerns over wildlife coming from the Gulf of Mexico spill continue to grow. And here in the Basin, more and more people are worried that, in the future, there might be only one way to see the creatures that used to swim in the Gulf: in aquariums.
Today some kids at the Museum of the Southwest in Midland learned about how the ecosystem saltwater fish and coral reefs live in are being destroyed. Preston Mackey, 9, thinks fish are cool. He has some in his freshwater tank in his room at home. Learning about the oil spill in the Gulf upset him.
"I'm not glad that they are dying from all the oil. I wish they were all still alive because all of coral reefs are actually real beautiful," said Mackey.
Amy Smith teaches kids here the importance of nature and wildlife. They also learn how people can impact nature and the repercussions.
“Whether I'm dropping a drop of oil in the water, unfortunately it's just not a drop of oil, there’s a lot of oil that's flowing in," she said.
Sissy Sathre is the owner of Aquarium's By Sissy. She’s been working in this industry for more than a quarter of a century, importing fish, and coral from the Gulf for her customers.
“There’s no evidence or proof yet but knowing the ecology of a reef I would definitely say it took a big impact," she said.
Sissy also said aquariums might be the only way we will be able to see saltwater fish and coral reefs in the future if the oil spill isn’t capped soon.
“If it continues then we probably won’t have any reefs. This could spread worldwide, I mean they are already saying it can make it to England and if it can make it to England it can even make it to Australia," explained Sathre.
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