This is SeaTalk: Ocean News from the University of Delaware.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has increased discussion about the safety of seafood. How do we know whether seafood is safe to eat after an oil spill? A variety of steps are taken, such as the precautionary closure of certain waters and fisheries to protect consumers from accidentally consuming contaminated seafood. Other control measures include analytical tests of seafood involving sophisticated laboratory instruments that identify a variety of possible contaminants. In addition, specially trained experts are employed to detect certain smells in seafood exposed to oil spills. The pollution gives off such strong odors that experts’ noses can give reliable results, and faster than a laboratory test. Used together, the lab and sensory methods have provided proven approaches to ensuring seafood safety.

This is SeaTalk, a public service announcement from the University of Delaware, the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, and this station.