Southern California Fisheries Closure Implemented Due to Oil Spill

by marinenews, posted in Fishes, Invertebrates, Regulations
Oil spill clean-up efforts under way
Crude oil is shown in the Pacific Ocean offshore of Orange County, Oct. 3, 2021. A unified command has been established to respond to and clean up the oil spill off the California coast. Official U.S. Coast Guard photo

Notification from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Take of all fish and shellfish is immediately prohibited from Huntington Beach to Dana Point, including the shorelines and offshore areas and all bays due to an oil spill in Southern California.

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has determined that a threat to public health is likely by fishing in the affected area or consuming fish or shellfish that may have been affected by the spill. OEHHA recommended this fishery closure to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The CDFW’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) Administrator, Thomas Cullen, signed the closure on behalf of CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham.

The closure is in effect until lifted. This closure document includes a detailed map of the initially closed areas. The extent of the closure will change as conditions and factors in the area change.

CDFW Press Release