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The Deepwater Horizon oil spill resulted in an unprecedented injury to fishes in the Gulf. It is estimated that trillions of larval fishes died from exposure to oil and dispersants, resulting in a significant loss to the ecosystem. In 2013, as part of the settlement to resolve certain criminal charges against BP and Transocean, $2.54 billion was directed to be paid to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to conduct or fund projects that remedy harm or reduce the risk of future harm to Gulf Coast natural resources injured by the spill. NFWF subsequently established the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF) to identify, fund and administer these projects. Several Gulf Coast states were particularly interested in utilizing the GEBF to restore fishes impacted by the spill.
