FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(San Francisco--February 9, 2021) In reaction to today’s spill of several hundred gallons of petroleum from Chevron’s Richmond refinery into San Francisco Bay, Audubon California Director of Bird Conservation Andrea Jones issued the following statement:

“Audubon California is monitoring the petroleum spill off Richmond with concern. While early reports suggest that the spill measures in hundreds – rather than thousands – of gallons of petroleum, that’s more than enough to threaten the health of thousands of residents in the nearby area, as well as sensitive habitat for waterbirds that come to San Francisco Bay during the winter months, including Western Grebes, Brown Pelicans, Double-Crested Cormorants, Ospreys, American Avocets, Willets and many other species of shore and seabirds. The spill also took place near a vital spawning ground for the Pacific Herring; eelgrass beds off Ferry Point and surrounding areas form one of the most important spawning areas on the West Coast for a fish that is the keystone of an ecosystem that supports everything from seabirds to leopard sharks. Staff from our Center at Richardson Bay will keep an eye on the surrounding area for injured wildlife tomorrow and for the rest of the week, and report any findings to the Office of Oil Spill Prevention and Response. Any spill in San Francisco Bay underscores the many reasons California must continue to move away from fossil fuels and toward renewable forms of energy, for the health of wildlife, fisheries, and coastline communities.” 

###

CONTACT:
Jason Howe, jason.howe@audubon.org; 415-595-9245

About Audubon
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.