We’ve been discussing ways to help the Gulf Coast recently. Seafood is a big industry for the Gulf Coast, and many seafood lovers have to be concerned about the possible dangers of eating seafood from the coast. Is it safe to eat?

Many signs point to yes. Celebrity chef Tom Colicchio traveled to the area himself to inspect the seafood and told CNN at the beginning of July that Gulf Coast seasfood is safe and that every bit of it is being tested. He’s buying it and selling it in his restaurants.

But researchers at the University of Southern Mississippi found oil in blue crabs, which feed larger fish.

As of July 13th, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has closed more than a third of the Gulf Coast to fishing. Both federal and state governments are working to test and monitor seafood safety daily.

This is important, because NOAA reports that commercial fishermen harvested more than 1 billion pounds of seafood in 2008. That’s a lot of money and a lot of jobs for the area.

In our house, we mainly eat fish caught by my father from a local lake. I don’t buy it from the grocery store. But in an effort to show my support for the Gulf Coast, I’m planning to look for some during my next shopping trip.

Do you buy seafood regularly? Are you specifically looking for fish and shellfish from the Gulf Coast, or from other areas? Why?