Potential Household Impacts of the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill (GOMOS)

The damages to the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) natural resources caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill (GOMOS) will take some time to be cleaned up and the restoration period to get the resources back to their original pre-GOMOS status is still indefinite.

In the meantime, the production of goods and services by various economic sectors located in the GOM states are adversely affected leading to reduced levels of economic activity, lower levels of employment and personal income, and reduced tax revenues among the affected GOM states and communities.

The closures of significant portions of GOM federal and state waters to commercial and recreational fishing and closures of beach resources to human uses due to GOMOS will alter the recreation and consumption decisions of residents and tourists in affected communities.

The expected changes in the total flow of goods and services generated by the damaged natural resources will affect not only households but also the communities dependent on these natural resources.

Seafood Prices

Household Consumption

Household Recreation