Rich Matthews, an Associated Press reporter, went scuba diving in an area of the gulf oil leak to see first-hand how the catastrophe had affected underwater life.

In a story datelined, “UNDER THE MURKY DEPTHS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO,” Matthews writes, “Some 40 miles out into the Gulf Of Mexico, I jump off the boat into the thickest patch of red oil I've ever seen. I open my eyes and realize my mask is already smeared. I can't see anything and we're just five seconds into the dive.

”Dropping beneath the surface the only thing I see is oil. To the left, right, up and down - it sits on top of the water in giant pools, and hangs suspended fifteen feet beneath the surface in softball sized blobs. There is nothing alive under the slick, although I see a dead jellyfish and handful of small bait fish."

Is this reporting or somethng of a publicity stunt? You decide.

AP also offers a video of the experience, seen below: