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| Red Snapper |
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| Largemouth Bass |
Chapter 7 discussed the Bypassed East, a part of the country that is much different than the Southeast where Mobile is located. Although the Appalachian Mountain chain begins in northern Alabama and stretches up to the Bypassed East, the “northern Appalachians’ structure bears little surface resemblance to the southern Appalachians,” according to the book. This region is also very cold and though it has a lot of precipitation like Mobile, the rocky soil and hilly terrain inhibits farming, unlike Mobile’s rich agricultural fields. The continental shelf of the Bypassed East however, sees much growth. Because its waters are shallow, it allows the sun to penetrate the waters, allowing for plankton growth. Because plankton is a basic source of food for fish, cod and halibut - cold water fish - were abundant. Fishing is still important to the region, but pollution and over fishing have challenged the industry. The fishing industry is very important to Mobile and Mobile has a rich history of diversity in its freshwater and saltwater locations in river systems, lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. The official freshwater fish of Alabama is the Largemouth Bass, but many other species of freshwater fish are equally sought. These species include the spotted bass, crappie, brim, stripe and catfish. The official saltwater fish of Alabama is the Tarpon, but many other species are popular including red snapper, flounder, sailfish, grouper and amber jack. The fisheries in Alabama are thriving, but the Deepwater Horizon oil spill last year definitely put them in peril. The shrimp and oyster industry have suffered because of this pollution and I fear that the Gulf will never be the same again.
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| Oil washed ashore at Orange Beach |
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| A dolphin my friend pulled from the Gulf that succumbed to the oil |
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