An oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, reported by the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday, has raised concerns about its potential impact on endangered species. Approximately 1.1 million gallons of crude oil are estimated to have leaked from a pipeline off the coast of Louisiana, near the 67-mile-long Main Pass Oil Gathering company’s pipeline system in Plaquemines Parish. The leak, initially noticed on Friday, led to the shutdown of the pipeline at 6:30 a.m. on the following Thursday.

The Coast Guard, along with the Main Pass Oil Gathering Company, LLC, and the Louisiana Oil Spill Coordinator’s Office, has formed a Unified Command to coordinate efforts in assessing, containing, and mitigating the spill’s impact. Images capturing the incident reveal substantial globules and oil slicks on the surface of the Gulf.

As of Tuesday, the volume of discharged oil remains unknown, with initial estimates suggesting the potential release of 1.1 million gallons. Efforts to address the situation have involved operations such as skimming and sampling conducted about four miles southeast of South Pass, Louisiana. Vessels from Clean Gulf Associates have been actively participating in these activities.

Despite the ongoing efforts, the source of the leak is yet to be identified. Remotely operated vehicles have been deployed to survey the pipeline, but no source area has been found as of now. The Unified Command remains committed to diligently identifying the source of the release, and there are currently no reports of injuries or impacts on the shoreline.

Matt Rota, senior policy director for Healthy Gulf, expressed concern that the reported spill volume could increase, highlighting potential discrepancies in estimates provided by companies with liability concerns for fines.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is overseeing the incident, emphasizing that the impact of the oil, rather than its volume, is the primary concern. The waters of Louisiana provide a habitat for endangered and threatened species, especially within the delicate wetlands and marshes. Even in the absence of oil reaching the shore, there is a notable potential for harm to marine life.

Of particular concern are endangered sea turtles, such as the Kemp’s Ridley, which hatches on the nearby Chandeleur Islands. Furthermore, the Gulf is the habitat of the critically endangered Rice’s whales, and their population is currently less than 100. Scientists caution that ongoing oil and gas development presents a substantial threat to the survival and restoration of these whales, pointing to the considerable impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on whales in the Gulf of Mexico.