A “fishery disaster” has been declared in the Gulf of Mexico as oil continues to leak from a disastrous drilling accident.

Political anger is rising following the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig and cracks previously seen are growing.

Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell has written to the US Army Corps of Engineers warning of an “unnecessary constitutional confrontation between state and federal governments” over the state’s wishes to erect a sand barrier to prevent the oil coming ashore. Caldwell says the state is being blocked by “illegal and ill-advised efforts” from the federal authorities (Times-Picayune, letter).

The (London) Times reports that Bobby Jindal, the Louisiana Governor is also threatening to start “taking matters into our own hands”.

Jindal has also warned of a “void” in current responses. “It is clear that the resources needed to protect our coast are still not here,” he said.

It’s not just Jindal who is frustrated. The Washington Post has it on good authority that a President Barack Obama snapped at his aides to “Plug the damn hole.”

Meanwhile, Politico says to expect “aggressive, visible criminal investigation of BP, Transocean and Halliburton after the Gulf gusher is capped”.

Finally, the Deep Sea News blog highlights this incredibly depressing tool from PBS:

Image: Sharon Taylor of the Fish and Wildlife Service releases a Northern Gannet, which was rescued and cleaned after it was found oiled off the Louisiana coast/ US Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Ameen.