IN THIS ISSUE

After the Spill

Crab Season Delayed

Death of a Scoter

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Oil Spill Response Fundraiser

Sunday, November 25th, 3-6pm at Presidio Yacht Club at Fort Baker in Sausalito. For more info contact: sbeck@farallones.org

 

Information provided by the Beach Watch Volunteers has been vital during the Cosco Busan oil spill. Our resources have been stretched to their limit. Please help by donating to FMSA.

 

Thank you volunteers and Doners for all your Support!

 

After the Spill

One week ago, on November 7th, the Cosco Busan, a large container ship bound for South Korea, crashed into the base of the Bay Bridge, spilling 58,000 gallons of heavy-duty bunker fuel oil into the San Francisco Bay. Quickly, the oil spread across the Bay, under the Golden Gate Bridge and out into the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, one of the most extraordinary and environmentally sensitive areas in the world.

From Day 1, our staff and Beach Watch volunteers have worked round the clock to provide information on natural resources status and distribution to Incident Command. Many of our volunteers are trained to work with hazardous materials and these folks continue to survey beaches and oiled wildlife, assist with the rescue effort as well as collect dead seabirds and tar balls as evidence.

The important data collected by the Farallones Association's programs is making a critical contribution by monitoring beaches and rocky shores to assess the impact of the spill on these fragile areas.

Continued>>

 

No Local Crab for Thanksgiving

With toxic oil from the devastating Cosco Busan Oil Spill spreading up and down the Bay Area coast, commercial crabbers voted to delay the November 15th opening of the Dungeness crab season. 

A few days later Governor Schwarzenegger reaffirmed the crabbers vote and issued an order suspending all fishing and crabbing for human consumption in areas affected by the spill.  The ban will remain in place until at least December 1st.

“Our priority must be getting the oil cleaned up as quickly as possible, rescuing all marine life and most importantly, protecting the public health,” Schwarzenegger said.

Continued >>

 

 

 

Death of a Scoter

Unaware of an oil spill, a surf scoter spends its day dipping and diving through the cold San Francisco waters in search of food.  Scoters have high metabolisms and need to feed often.

At the first hint or smell of oil, they may paddle or fly away.  But as the spill surges through the bay, inevitably some oil clings to a scoter’s feathers. Seabirds are particularly at risk because oil floats on the ocean surface.

Here lies the first tragedy.  Surf scoters (and other seabirds) have incredible adaptations to deal with the cold Northern Pacific waters.  Their water-tight feathers keep them insulated, buoyant and dry, so they can live in the ocean and stay warm. 

Continued >>

 

Photo credits: Jamie Hall, Kurt Rogers and San Francisco Chronicle.