In reaction to the dispersing oil from the BP well blowout, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has significantly prolonged the fishing ban in the Gulf of Mexico, on Tuesday. Now, the area which is forbidden under the ban has been increased to 19% of the gulf, just about twice of what it was earlier.

Since April 30, about 156 sea turtle fatalities have been traced in the gulf, which is 100 times more than the normal at this time of year. Also, ill effects on other fish and wildlife, has also been witnessed in the region.

Rowan W. Gould, the Acting Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service said that the visibly oiled birds are just a small part of the effect, whereas, what brings in more concern is the effects which aren't visible to us! This includes the probability of incorrigible fatal effect on the gulf ecosystem in the years to come.

From the region, 35 birds were recently recovered, including 23 dead ones, which were directly related to the oil spills.

The seriousness of the leak and its threat to the environment was shown in video clips posted online. In response, the BP Company has now planned to "kill" the well which will eventually stop the flow of oil. This'll be done by, as informed by the Company's officials, pumping heavy mud into the well shaft as early as this weekend.