NEW ORLEANS — Add tourism to the growing list of victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
With oil working its way into the wetlands of Louisiana and washing up on beaches there and in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, the picture is bleak at worst, uncertain at best.
"We thought we fixed everything from five years ago (Hurricane Katrina), but now we're in a new oily boat," said Poppy Tooker, a New Orleans author, culinary activist, radio host — and outdoorswoman. She also teaches at the New Orleans Cooking Experience, a vacation cooking school. Shrimp creole, anyone?
She said the school is seeing some cancellations because people hear — incorrectly — that there is no seafood available.
The bigger impact, though, is being felt by commercial and recreational fishermen.
In Grand Isle, a popular fishing, camping and beach spot, the oil began coming in just before Memorial Day.
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