Fresh Oil Spill Kills Birds in SF Bay, Tars Beaches
Hundreds of gallons of bunker fuel oil spilled Friday in San Francisco Bay and has now started washing onto shore, polluting area beaches and endangering birds. State regulators suspended fishing and shellfish harvesting in parts of the bay, and officials asked people to avoid some beaches while mop up efforts continue. At 6:48 a.m. Friday, the Panamanian tanker Dubai Star spilled bunker oil into the bay as the ship was being refueled about 2 1/2 miles south of the Bay Bridge. The oil sheen quickly covered a miles-long swath of water; however, aerial assessments and measurements of the tanker’s fuel capacity showed only 400 to 800 gallons of bunker fuel had been spilled, officials said today.
The cause of the spill is still under investigation, but early evidence pointed to mechanical failure. Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda is hardest hit by the spill. Tar balls – some the size of silver dollars and a few as big as seat cushions – have washed up along shore every five to 10 yards. About 60 oiled birds, about half dead, were found at that site. Oil was also washing up in the Ballena Isle Marina in Alameda, Coast Guard officials said.
The California Department of Fish and Game banned shoreline fishing and shellfish harvesting until state health officials could evaluate any contamination caused by the spill.
Report oiled birds
The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is not asking for volunteer help at this point but anyone who sees oiled wildlife should call (877) 823-6926.
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