Golden Gate National Recreational Area - Oil Spill in San Francisco Bay (U.S. National Park Service)

NASA Photo from the International Space Station of the San Francisco Bay Area.

NASA Photo of the San Francisco Bay area shot the week of the spill by astronaut Dan Tani from the International Space Station.

OIL SPILL WILDLIFE ADVISORY
The birds using our beaches have been impacted by the recent oil spill into San Francisco Bay. Fort Funston Beach, Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, China Beach and Crissy Field Wildlife Protection Area are important wintering areas where birds forage and rest to build up reserves for migration and breeding. As a visitor, you can help lessen the impact to the shorebirds by doing the following:

• Please visit other areas rather than Fort Funston Beach, Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, China Beach and Crissy Field Wildlife Protection Area to allow birds on these beaches to rest, preen, and feed.

• Please walk your dog in other areas than those beaches listed above.

• Stay at least 100 feet from any birds.

• No special events on these beaches will be permitted until further notice.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area:

All beaches are now open

Point Reyes National Seashore:
All beaches are now open

Maritime National Historical Park:
The Aquatic Park beach and lagoon reopened Wednesday, November 21. Swimmers and recreational users are cautioned to avoid pilings, lines and vessels due to the potential for contact with oil residue. Please be aware that weather and tides could re-oil the beach/lagoon at any time.

If oil does wash up onto open beaches, avoid contact. Do not walk or handle contaminated objects. If skin does contact with oil, wash immediately with soap and water or a non-solvent skin cleanser. In the case of eye contact, flush with plenty of water for 15 minutes or until irritation subsides. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Avoid tracking oil into your vehicle, home or other such areas. Children may also be exposed by playing in contaminated sand or soil. It is strongly suggested to keep pets out of the water to protect them from contact with contaminated water.

For additional information see the USCG website at .

Fishing Ban: As of November 30 most of the fishing bans have been lifted. By order of Governor Schwarzenegger most fishing of marine life for human consumption in the San Francisco Bay area is once again being allowed, including crabbing. Exceptions are mussels from the Berkeley Pier and Rodeo Beach in Marin County and Drakes Bay Oyster Co. of Inverness which has not been allowed to resume oyster harvesting.

The Governor of California at Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

National Park Service photo by Ranger Craig Glassner

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at Fort Mason Center press conference, Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Bay in the background.

Members of the public without proper training should not attempt to collect the oil, since it needs to be disposed of properly to prevent broader contamination and re-introduction to the environment. In addition, exposure to the oil can be hazardous for your health.

The public is urged to avoid areas and wildlife that are affected, as untrained people can cause further damage to the environment and stress on the wildlife.

The public is also reminded that allowing your dogs to run on impacted beaches will create even greater stress for injured wildlife.

To report oiled wildlife call 311 or (415) 701-2311 (San Francisco) or (877) 823-6926 (for any location).

To find out how you can volunteer, please follow these links :

Residents of San Francisco can call 311 for information on how to help. From outside San Francisco call 415-701-2311.

	SF Oil Spill (34 Photos) Additional photos are available at the U.S. Coast Guard wesite at www.uscgsanfrancisco.com/go/site/823/. View Album \| View Slideshow

SF Oil Spill (34 Photos)