January 26, 2012:  Gulf Commitment: The seafood Generations of fishermen have made their livelihoods and their homes on the Gulf Coast. They want you to know that seafood -- shrimp, oysters and all sorts of fish -- from the Gulf of Mexico is the most inspected and most tested in the world. The confidence they have in their catch has never been higher, and they want you to try it for yourself. View video of "Gulf Commitment: The seafood."

Click on image to enlarge and view additional information.

Gulf Coast Restoration: Helping Alabama's manatees

Studying manatees on Alabama's Gulf coast is part of the day-to-day work of scientists at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. With support from BP's $22 million Recovered Oil Fund For Wildlife, in partnership with the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, their team hopes not just to learn about manatees in Alabama, but to foster their population's growth. View video of "Helping Alabama's manatees".

Senior Bowl to showcase Gulf Coast seafood, tourism and culture

Mobile, AL. -- The Senior Bowl announced an extension of the 2012 Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bashpresented by BP.  In conjunction with the Alabama Seafood and Marketing Commission, the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash will showcase Gulf Coast seafood, culture and tourism and is designed to maximize the exceptional amount of exposure the Gulf Coast will receive as it hosts the 2012 Senior Bowl on January 28 in Mobile.

The Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash presented by BP began with the 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl and the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship in New Orleans.

The Bash during the Senior Bowl will include interactive, Gulf Coast seafood-themed cooking demonstrations featuring top chefs from across the region, headlined by Aaron McCargo Jr., the Next Food Network Star and host of Food Network’s Big Daddy’s House, Wesley True of True Restaurants in Mobile, Alec Naman of Naman’s Catering in Mobile, and Haller Magee of Satterfield’s in Birmingham. 

Read more about the Gulf Coast Seafood and Tourism Bash during the Senior Bowl

Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife

In 2010, BP donated approximately $22 million to help wildlife recovery and restoration. Known as the Recovered Oil Fund For Wildlife, this fund has not only helped protect endangered sea turtles and thousands of migratory birds, it has provided an opportunity to address long-standing issues in the Gulf ecosystem and help to create a healthier Gulf. Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which administers the fund, explains its mission and how the fund works. View video of Recovered Oil Fund for Wildlife.

Successful ‘Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash’ wraps up in New Orleans

New Orleans – Two spectacular college football games are in the books and so is BP’s successful Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash. BP created the event in partnership with Gulf Coast tourism planners as a way to celebrate Gulf Coast culture, seafood and tourism – and to maximize exposure for the area during the Allstate Sugar Bowl and BCS National Championship.

Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash events included celebrity chef appearances by Emeril Lagasse and John Besh who both conducted dozens of national TV interviews to share Gulf seafood recipes and the news that the Gulf is open for business. “We’re in heaven, the beaches are open and the seafood has never been better,” said Besh to a Chicago reporter. “It’s all about seafood and tourism for us and the city right now, here in New Orleans – it’s electric.” Read more about the 'Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash' here.

View video of Gulf Coast Seafood and Tourism Bash.

BP's quest to earn back America's trust

In a speech to the Economic Club of Chicago, CEO Bob Dudley reaffirmed BP's commitment to US energy security. Read BP CEO Bob Dudley's speech. 

BP updates Gulf restoration activity in new television ad

BP has launched a new nationwide television advertising campaign to update the American people on progress being made to clean up and restore the Gulf Coast region in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon accident.  It comes as the cleanup phase of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response is nearing completion and the first set of early restoration projects is preparing to move forward. View new Gulf television commercial. Read more about new Gulf national television commercial. 

Gulf seafood and tourism in spotlight

With the Allstate BCS Sugar Bowl as a backdrop, BP and Gulf Coast tourism and seafood officials launched the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash to celebrate Gulf Coast seafood, culture and tourism through special events and promotions throughout New Orleans. View video of Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash.

BP’s ‘Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash’ offers fresh seafood, vacation contest

New Orleans – In addition to having great football this January with the Sugar Bowl and the BCS National Championship, New Orleans is also having great seafood – thanks to BP’s Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash.

BP created the event in partnership with Gulf Coast tourism planners as a way to celebrate Gulf Coast culture, seafood and tourism – and to maximize exposure the region receives during the two bowl games in New Orleans.

“We're working with the Gulf Coast's seafood and tourism industries to spotlight two of the best things about this unique region," said Crystal Ashby, BP executive vice president of government and public affairs. “Together, we want to deliver a clear message that the Gulf's beaches, restaurants, fishing and attractions provide unsurpassed vacation experiences.” Read the full article here.

New Orleans welcomes BCS Championship with "Peacemaker po' boys"

Legendary quarterbacks Ken Stabler of Alabama and Bert Jones of LSU share a ceremonial 30-foot "Peacemaker po' boy" as part of the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash presented by BP. New Orleans chefs teamed up to bring together Louisiana shrimp and Alabama oysters in celebration of the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship. 

View more photos of the Gulf Coast Seafood and Tourism Bash.  Read more about the Gulf Coast Seafood and Tourism Bash.

Initial early restoration projects selected for Alabama

State and federal Trustees unveiled the first set of early environmental restoration projects that are proposed for funding under the landmark agreement BP signed with the Trustees in April 2011. The eight proposed projects are located in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. The two proposed initial Alabama projects are:

Alabama Dune Restoration Cooperative Project will restore 55 acres of coastal sand dune habitat with native vegetation, protective fencing and informative signs across the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, the Bureau of Land Management Fort Morgan properties, the City of Gulf Shores and the City of Orange Beach. 

Alabama Marsh Island Restoration Project will protect 24 acres of existing salt marsh habitat and create 40 acres of additional salt marsh habitat in Portersville Bay. A permeable breakwater will be constructed in front of the island to reduce erosion of the existing marsh and the additional marsh habitat will be created adjacent to the island. 

Read more about early restoration projects. Department of Interior press release on early restoration projects.

Going home: Sea turtles released into the Gulf

“It feels wonderful, just wonderful, to see them be released and to see them go like they’re supposed to go,” says Dr. Connie Chevis, chief veterinarian for the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) in Gulfport, Mississippi.  In the third segment of a special three-part video series, Chevis and other IMMS officials take viewers along as they release 11 sea turtles -- including four equipped with satellite tracking devices -- into the Gulf of Mexico. 

View video of Going home: Sea turtles released into the Gulf. Learn more about the work of the IMMS.

My Gulf Go This is the story of Shaul Zislin's Gulf. Born in Israel, Shaul and his wife visited Gulf Shores and fell instantly in love with its beaches, with its charm.

My Gulf Go Bill gives us a glimpse of what is the epitome of a Southern Garden and shares what makes this “grand old lady” so special.

Tourism Go BP is working to ensure that individuals are able to enjoy Alabama attractions.