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Due to the offshore movement of the spill, concern for resources shifted from
potential shoreline impacts to the economically important fishing grounds in the
area of Georges Bank.  Benthic fish and invertebrate populations and their
associated planktonic stages were at risk.  Evidence of oil contamination was
observed in fish, shellfish, ichthyoplankton and zooplankton collected in the
area of the spill.  Mortalities of Cod and Pollack embryos occurred in eggs
contaminated with oil, and large numbers of zooplankton were observed to be
contaminated with hydrocarbons.  A decline in the population of Sandlance, an
important prey species, was reported during and following the spill, however,
the decrease in numbers of Sandlance could not be directly attributed to the spill.

Observers aboard vessels in the area reported that 25 to 75% of the seabirds
seen were fouled with oil.  Fouling was observed mostly on the breast and
abdominal areas.  Herring Gulls and Black-backed Gulls appeared to be the most
heavily impacted.  Many boats in the area of the spill reported heavily oiled
gulls landing on-board their vessels.  The birds often appeared weak and overly
tame.  Diving birds that were reported oiled included Gannets and murres, but
few of these species were observed to be heavily oiled.  A total of 43 marine
mammals were observed in the area of the spill, but none were in obvious
distress or in direct contact with oil pancakes or sheens.

The grounding of the Argo Merchant initiated intense scientific activity between
December 15 and February 12.  Studies related to the fate and effects of the oil
as well as the modeling of trajectories were conducted to begin the process of
assessing ecological impacts.

Shortly after the grounding, research vessels from NOAA and Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) were diverted from their scheduled itineraries to
begin special operations concerned with the fate and effects of the spilled oil.
 Personnel from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), WHOI and NOAA aboard
two vessels began assessment of water column contamination.  Cruises involving
USCG, NOAA, WHOI, U.S. Geological Survey, and University of Rhode Island (URI)
vessels collected more than 200 water and sediment samples.  Fish and shellfish
samples were collected at 43 biological stations during a subsequent NMFS
cruise.  Benthic sampling was conducted throughout the area of the continental
shelf over which the oil spill passed on two cruises by personnel from URI,
NOAA, and the USCG.

Considerable credit for the  success of the research operation was attributed to
the Federal On-Scene Coordinator's efforts to combine the research activities
rather than allowing fragmentation of the effort.  The OSC was also responsible
for making operational resources, such as aircraft and vessels, available for
research purposes.

Media attention during the Argo Merchant  spill was considerable.  Though the
oil never impacted the coast, public perception a year after the spill was that
widespread and serious damage had occurred.  The USCG was the target of
increasing criticism during the incident.  Criticism of the Coast Guard's
handling of the incident was noted at a U.S. Senate hearing.  A problem of
conflicting information had developed due to the release of information from two
different sources, the district office and the Coast Guard air station.  After
the two command posts were consolidated, public information problems were minimized.

Shore-based cleanup of oiled seabirds was funded by the OSC under the direction
of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.  A total of 160 oiled
birds were recovered.  The relatively low number of birds collected was
attributed to the winter conditions and the scarcity of beach patrols.  Oiled
birds were recovered as far away as Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  A total of 47 birds
were released after cleaning at either the Sandwich, Massachusetts, or Felix
Neck Audubon Society facilities.  Although oiling of gulls was the most commonly
observed impact in the spill area, Common Murres were the most common birds
recovered from the beaches.