KissMyCountry had the chance to speak last week with Ellis Pickett, Texas Campaign Organizer for the Gulf Restoration Network. As an environmentalist who previously worked in the oil industry, Ellis has a unique perspective and knowledge, and spoke with us about his work and his concerns for marine life in the Gulf following the BP “Oil Spill”. KissMyCountry is supporting the Gulf Restoration Network with our Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas t-shirts. As a ‘nod’ to Ellis, based in Texas, we feature our Texas t-shirt for the next few days and thank him for taking the time to speak with us!
“I spent 20 years working in the oil fields. I’ve spent time on those rigs. I have expertise in this field that a lot of environmentalists don’t have. This is a game changer. One of the things it’s proven is that the unthinkable can happen.” – Ellis Pickett, Gulf Restoration Network
A Day Spent Watching BP’s ROVs on Five Computer Screens
“I get up and I come to the computer, and then I stay on it until late at night. On my computer at the moment I have 5 live screens from the BP ROVs (Remotely Operated UnderWater Vehicles). These are real time. I’m watching one of the ROVs apply dispersant,” Ellis Pickett says in response to a question about his day’s work. As a Gulf watchdog for the past 15 years, members of the Gulf Restoration Network’s team are now focused on observing, measuring and recording information related to the BP Oil Spill. “We’re trying to make sure that industry and government does the right thing,” says Ellis. The Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20 increased the group’s work enormously, and their entire team has been working many extra hours, with everyone pitching in. Ellis, focusing on Texas issues, is working closely with team members focusing on issues in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida – watching BP’s ROVs, talking with experts as they prepare their comments for the media, and anything else needed. “Everyone is working. Volunteers are calling every day,” says Ellis.
Concern About Chemical Dispersants and Marine Life
Ellis has a perspective unlike most environmentalists given his previous work in the oil industry. “I spent 20 years working in the 
oil fields. I’ve spent time on those rigs. I have expertise in this field that a lot of environmentalists don’t have. This is a game changer. One of the things it’s proven is that the unthinkable can happen.” As part of GRN’s support staff, Ellis focuses on sea turtles, dolphins, whales and other marine life in the Gulf. He expresses greatest concern about the chemical dispersants being used by BP to break up the oil spill. “Chemical dispersants break up the oil into smaller pieces. It’s like putting sugar into water. They’re emulsifying the oil. If you were to take a drink you’d taste it.” Ellis explains the oil is completely mixed into the surrounding water. “If you are a fish and you’re trying to breathe as it passes through your gills would it cause you problems?” asks Ellis. “Those dispersants work their way into the food chain.” Ellis expresses concern about the Bluefin tuna in the Gulf because one of their spawning grounds is located just south of the Deepwater Horizon blowout. Ellis is also concerned about the natural movement of the waters of the Gulf currents taking place below the surface. “My concern is what’s below the surface. Currents vary in the Gulf. Currents vary like the clouds. Some go north and higher up. That oil could be anywhere in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Kathy – A Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Traveling in the Gulf of Mexico
Another type of marine life to be concerned about in the Gulf of Mexico is the sea turtle, and Ellis gives us all a chance to follow the path of a sea turtle currently in the Gulf. Kathy is a Kemp’s Ridley female sea turtle released into the Gulf of Mexico by biologists at Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) after she laid 102 eggs on Surfside Beach, Texas and was ready to return to the water.
Kathy’s eggs are now on Padre Island National Seashore for incubation and subsequent hatching release after being transported there by biologists. Meanwhile, anyone can track Kathy’s journey in the Gulf of Mexico. “She is not too far West of the mouth of the Mississippi”, says Ellis, “She may surface in the middle of an oil slick and not be able to breathe.” The Kemp’s Ridley is one of five species of sea turtle in the Gulf of Mexico.
In “A Requiem for the Gulf”, published by The Huffington Post last week, James Moore recounts the creation of a refuge on Padre Island in 1979 for Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles rescued from nesting grounds in Rancho Nuevo, Mexico threatened by the oil spill from the blowout of the Ixtoc. Could this be the same spot where Kathy’s eggs will hatch? If so, it is providing safe refuge once again for the Kemp’s Ridley species.
A Role for All Who Love the Gulf of Mexico
“I have great love for the Gulf of Mexico”, says Ellis, “We’re trying to make people aware and make changes in our own lives. 
Everyone does have a stake and the opportunity to make something happen. This is a multigenerational problem.” As Ellis continues his work, and the rest of the GRN team continues to meet the challenge of this unprecedented crisis, we are thinking about all of the team. We plan to stay in touch and keep posting about the Gulf Restoration Network and their work. We’re glad the GRN has been there for 15 years, and we’re glad you’re there now. Thank you for your work and for saving a place you love.
To learn more about the Gulf Restoration Network and their work, check out their web site. KissMyCountry will continue to check in with Ellis Pickett and the Gulf Restoration Network as they continue their work in the Gulf. Watch for our future blog posts, and consider helping the GRN directly. Thank you!
