BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- If you're still concerned about the safety of seafood from the Gulf Coast waters, because of the oil spill, there's a regional campaign to ease your fears.

The Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission hopes to drive the demand for Alabama seafood.

There have been reports that fisherman in the Gulf of Mexico are catching deformed seafood, like fish with sores and shrimp with no eyes, believed to be caused by chemicals left behind from the BP oil spill.

Chris Hastings, chef and owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club, is on the Alabama Seafood Commission.

Ninety percent of the seafood served at his restaurant, comes from the Gulf and he stands by the Gulf seafood supply. Hastings said, "What people don't understand is that gulf fisheries, Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida, are the most tested water in the world."

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Birmingham will have its first budget, without any debt in it since the recession began, if Mayor Bell's recommendations are put into action for the next fiscal year.

Bell's budget blueprint released today calls for spending $365 million and using no money from loans or the city's reserve funds.

There are four focus areas in the budget: jobs, building neighborhoods, public safety and efficient government.

The mayor says part of the more than $300 million dollars should be used to open four new recreation facilities in the Oxmoor area, eastern area, Fountain Heights and Brownsville Heights.

The mayor also proposes reinstating the five percent merit raises for city employees. He says it's time to reward employees who have gone without.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL (WBRC)- Jefferson County will hold the first in a series of community meetings related to the April 27th tornadoes. They will focus on disaster relief funds and who is eligible for that funding.

The county has nearly $8-million in disaster relief money and is in the process of making sure the money gets in the right places.

Tonight's meetings begin at 6 p.m. One is at Concord Elementary School; the other is at Warrior City Hall.

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