Spills

Santa cruz, california

Mystery Spill/monterey Bird Incident; Santa Cruz, California · NOAAORR-7235

issued
1997-10-24 00:00Z
status
cancelled 1997-11-07 00:00Z
self-cancels
1997-11-07 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
North Pacific Ocean
position
36.935, -121.905
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Mystery Spill/Monterey Bird Incident; Santa Cruz, California.
Santa Cruz, California.
1. On October 24, 1997, the USCG received reports of an unknown substance washing ashore at Sunset Beach in Soquel Cove, Monterey Bay; they also began receiving reports of bird impacts. The beach was initially evacuated and the Santa Cruz HAZMAT Team investigated the substance. It was determined to be a non-toxic, non-petroleum oil, however a definitive identification was never made. Laboratory reports ranged from hydrogenated vegetable oil, emulsified sardine oil, to an animal, vegetable, or fish by-product. USCG district 11. Keyword: none.
2. COMMODITY: NON-PETROLEUM OIL.
3. POSITION 36.935N 121.905W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 7235: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/7235

This area · spills & pollution incidents

259 within 180 nm since 1971 · 13 in the last 12 months · 2 in force now

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Spills

Oil and chemical spills, groundings and vessel casualties with a pollution threat: NOAA IncidentNews responses since 1957, and spill-response areas broadcast as navigational warnings. All current spills & pollution incidents →

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