Coast Guard Checks Reported New Oil Spill in Gulf

The Coast Guard is investigating a fisherman's report of an apparent oil spill "several miles" long near Venice, Louisiana, a Coast Guard spokesman said Wednesday.

A team was trying to determine whether the substance was actually oil, how much was spilled and where it came from, a Coast Guard spokesman said. He declined to predict what the findings would be.

"It's too early," the spokesman said.

A fisherman reported an "oily substance" in the water two miles southeast of Baptiste Collette Pass, early Wednesday morning, and four pollution investigators were sent to obtain samples for analysis, a news release said.

"The Coast Guard has opened and is using the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to begin mobilizing assets to quickly address the situation," the news release said.