|(Click this link to a graphical representation|
of dead zone size changes over time)
In June 2012 scientists from the NCCOS-funded Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems and Hypoxia Assessment (NGOMEX) program had issued two contrasting predictions of the expected size of this summer's Gulf dead zone. A University of Michigan model had predicted a size of 1,197 square miles, which contrasted with the findings of a Louisiana State University model predicting an hypoxic zone size of 6,213 square miles.
The smallest dead zone obeserved to date was 15 square miles in 1988, which was another drought year. The largest was measured in 2002 at slightly more than 8,400 square miles (see the above graph or follow this link to a graphical representation of dead zone size changes over time).
The NCCOS Mid-Summer Survey Result's press release noted that "The hypoxic zone that forms each spring and summer off the coast of Louisiana and Texas, threatens (sic) valuable commercial and recreational Gulf fisheries. In 2009, the dockside value of commercial fisheries in the Gulf was $629 million. Nearly three million recreational fishers further contributed about $10 billion to the Gulf economy, taking 22 million fishing trips."