Another oil spill has polluted the waters off the west coast, this time, in San Francisco Bay. It seems there is some controversy with regard to the Coast Guard’s initial underestimate of the magnitude of the spill, in addition to the relatively long time it took to make such an estimate. Critics argue that much more of the oil could have been contained, had they offered a more speedy and accurate estimate. This is all very important, of course, because this area contains a wealth of marine life and birds that are being adversely affected by the oil. Local fisheries are worried about herring, salmon and smelt, while birds are being captured and taken to rehabilitation facilities to remove the oil from their feathers and skin and local marine experts will be tasked with monitoring the spill’s effects on harbor seals and sea lions.

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Tags: Birds, harbor seals, herring, oceanography, oil spill, salmon, San Francisco Bay, sea lions, smelt

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