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Natural oil seepage is the greatest source of hydrocarbon pollution in the ocean and atmosphere.
A single 6-mile stretch along the Santa Barbara coastline, including Coal Oil Point, averages 10,000 gallons of seeping oil each day (240 barrels).
Every 12 months approximately 86,000 barrels of oil pollutes the California coast naturally by offshore oil seeps.
OFFSHORE SANTA BARBARA HAS THE SECOND LARGEST MARINE OIL SEEPS IN THE WORLD.
The diverse wildlife present in Santa Barbara’s coastal waters are subject to the insidious effects of oil seeps.
Though oils spills are more catastrophic, the effects of intense offshore gas and oil seepage are not to be dismissed.
Fur bearing marine mammals such as sea otters and fur seals are especially vulnerable to the effects of crude oil.
