Starting in April, for three months, oil gushed into the Gulf from the site of the Deepwater Horizon rig. Some oil was captured or washed ashore. Most of it is unaccounted for – and that’s what has scientists worried.

Researchers from the University of South Florida College of Marine science say we’re just beginning to get a true picture of the damage to wildlife from the spill.

In November, these scientists answered questions at a forum on the oil spill sponsored by USF College of Marine Science, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club Florida and several other environmental groups.

They answer questions about BP’s funding of oil spill research and how that affects their independence; the current state of knowledge about damage to fish and other ocean organisms, and why the oil did not spread to other parts of Florida, as originally feared.

Also speaking at the forum were a panel of environmentalists for their take on the oil spill response – and whether the Obama Administration is doing what it should in restoring the Gulf.

As we’ve heard, the affects of the oil spill appear to be with us for years to come. And WUSF Public Media is committed to covering the spill’s aftermath, as part of a consortium of Gulf public television and radio stations.

You can follow our ongoing coverage from reporter Steve Newborn and the entire WUSF reporting team on our website under the “Oil Spill in the Gulf” logo, where you can find more than 100 stories and eight episodes of Florida Matters devoted to spill coverage.