There’s never been a better time in recent history than now for oceanographers looking for work. The mammoth oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has produced at least a couple hundred jobs for ocean scientists, including 100 alone paid for by BP, which was operating the offshore rig when it exploded in April.

 

In addition to the $500 million BP is spending on experts, 50 of whom will help defend the oil giant in court against lawsuits and criminal prosecution, the federal government and environmental groups are spending more time and attention on the region affected by the nation’s worst ever oil spill.

 

So far, there are 165 proposed studies in the works on the Gulf.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Scientists Rushing in after BP Oil Spill (by John Flesher and Seth Borenstein, Associated Press)

BP on the Lookout for BP-Friendly Scientists (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)