Ten years after the Refugio Beach oil spill, a long-term effort to restore the coast and its habitat is well underway, thanks to a strong partnership, scientific expertise, and deep commitment to restoring what was lost. 

In 2015, over 100,000 gallons of crude oil were spilled near Refugio State Beach–much of which ran down a storm drain and into a ravine under the freeway, entering the ocean. Impacts included deceased fish, invertebrates, and birds, along with impacts to marine mammals and their habitats. The spill shut down fisheries, closed multiple beaches, and impacted recreational uses such as camping, non-commercial fishing, and beach visits.

NOAA and its partners used their Natural Resource Damage Assessment authority to work with Plains All American, the responsible party, to reach a $22.3 million settlement in 2020. The partners, including NOAA, the Bureau of Land Management California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Lands Commission, California Department of Parks and Recreation, University of California, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service, formed the Refugio Beach Oil Spill Trustee Council to guide the restoration efforts.

The restoration work within the last four years (PDF, 10 pages) focuses on repairing damage to birds, marine mammals, shoreline and underwater habitats, and recreational areas. The trustees selected and carefully implemented projects to help repair injuries and allow people to continue to enjoy the coast for years to come. Read about some of these projects below. 

Marine Mammal Rescue

More than $2 million has been invested in rescuing and rehabilitating marine mammals along the Gaviota Coast. 

A sharp rise in marine mammal strandings occurred due to domoic acid events from harmful algal blooms. This neurotoxin accumulates in small fish like sardines and anchovies which are then eaten by marine mammals like sea lions in large quantities. The trustees allocated $1.8 million over a three-year period for the Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute to enhance existing stranding network capabilities. Funds went in part to the purchase and upgrading of critical equipment and facility upgrades leading to enhanced stranding response capabilities. 

Entanglement in fishing gear is also a cause of mortality for marine mammals, including whales and dolphins (or cetaceans). The trustees allocated $500,000 to Cascadia Research Collective  to train new stranding responders and purchase specialized gear to expand rescue coverage along the Southern California coast. The program also collects valuable data to prevent future entanglements.

Restoring Subtidal and Fish Habitat

The restoration efforts are reviving underwater ecosystems. A major project to restore red abalone populations has already outplanted over 5,000 juvenile abalone at Naples and Isla Vista reefs, with a long-term goal of 40,000. Site monitoring will continue for the next decade, and more abalone will be released to build a self-sustaining population.

Eelgrass and sand-dwelling kelp—critical habitats for fish and marine life—will be restored. Eelgrass beds along the Gaviota Coast will be mapped and prepared for planting, while targeted efforts are bringing kelp beds in Goleta Bay back to life.

Community Benefits

The trustees prioritized projects to improve public access and environmental education. At Arroyo Burro Beach, new interpretive signs help visitors learn about local ecosystems. The Bridge to Nature program brought hundreds of students, who may not have otherwise had a chance, on outdoor field trips to beaches and tidepools to connect with the natural ecology. 

At Ventura Harbor, the addition of ADA-accessible wheelchairs and paths has improved beach access  and safety and communication upgrades have improved beach patrols.

Looking to the Future

Out of an over $10 million allocation, nearly $12 million remains for future restoration. NOAA and partners remain committed to using these funds to continue restoring what was lost and protecting and monitoring what has been recovered.

Ten years after the spill, the California coast is seeing renewed life—from birds and marine mammals to beaches and reefs. The work isn’t finished, but the progress already made serves as a reminder of what can be achieved.

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