Dozens of oiled birds were rescued Saturday as crews searched beaches and estuaries looking for birds caught up in Friday morning’s spill on San Francisco Bay. See: Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN). One of the biggest collection points is in Alameda at Crown Memorial State Beach just southeast of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge where … Read more
We got a nice note from our compatriot, Mike “Shorty” Short, from Australia this week. He’s sharing a photo and news of the successful rehabilitation of beautiful White Pelicans after the Moreton oil spill: We released the 13 pelicans yesterday – from a total of 16 animals in captive care – rest released earlier except … Read more
Finally had some time to do a podcast interview with IBRRC’s Executive Director, Jay Holcomb, reflecting on the response to monumental Exxon Valdez oil spill. Jay pioneered the search and rescue program at the spill. Additionally, he managed the entire rehabilitation program that cared for over 1,600 birds. He spent six straight months in Alaska … Read more
With the 20th anniversary of the Exxon Valdez oil spill upon us, a spate of news stories and opinion pieces will surely follow. However, one piece of information worthy of reading is a report that says oil from the spill in some places is “nearly as toxic as it was the first few weeks after … Read more
The Cosco Busan pilot boat captain has finally pleaded guilty this week to federal water pollution charges in an plea agreement that will force him to serve up to 10 months in prison. Capt. John Cota, admitted that he made serious mistakes in piloting the Cosco Busan container ship through heavy fog Nov. 7, 2007. … Read more
In the early hours of March 24, 1989 the Exxon Valdez oil supertanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It discharges millions of gallons of crude oil. In its wake, some biologists believe it killed 300,000 birds. If you need any reminder of how powerfully tragic the spill was in Alaska, please watch this … Read more
Through a generous grant from the San Francisco Foundation Cosco Busan Oil Spill Fund, IBRRC is now recruiting new members to train for its renowned oil spill response team. The training and workshops will be provided by us at the Northern California headquarters in Cordelia. The first in a series of classes will be taking … Read more
Excellent opinion piece in San Jose Mercury News from Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara who writes on the efforts to block opening more oil drilling on California coast: “Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Santa Barbara oil spill. On Jan. 28, 1969, a blowout on a Unocal rig six miles off the coast of California … Read more
Three members of IBRRC’s oil response team have been dispatched to a small oil leak off the coast of Santa Barbara. At least 1,134 gallons (27 barrels) were reportedly spilled on Sunday, December 7, 2008. No oiled birds have been found. On Tuesday team leaders from the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) will help coordinate … Read more
Paul Rogers of the San Jose Mercury News has an excellent one year update on the Cosco Busan oil spill on San Francisco Bay. The spill in November 2007 left thousands of birds dead after 50,000 gallons of bunker fuel spewed out into the bay. …The eerie rainbow sheen is long gone from the water. … Read more