Gulf Workers Not Buying Good News

The Gulf leak appears to be permanently plugged and feds believe only a quarter of the oil remains but Gulf coast residents aren't ready to start cheering. Many—wary after earlier assurances proved false—are skeptical about reports the oil has been absorbed by Mother Nature and fear it could reappear, oozing out of the ground as happened in Louisiana this week.

Fishing waters are being reopened, but many in the industry fear it may be too soon and worry that Gulf seafood will be shunned for years to come. Even if reports the oil has dissipated are true "and I can go catch some shrimp right now," the chief of a commercial fishing association tells the New York Times, "I can’t sell it. I don’t have a dealer or processor who can take it right now."