Assessment
Source: Freighter grounding.
Release: An estimated 339,538 gallons of Intermediate Fuel Oil 380 and 14,680 gallons of marine diesel/miscellaneous oils were released to the environment. In addition, approximately 60,000 tons of soybeans were released to the marine environment.
Injuries: Birds, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, vegetation, human use services.
Following the spill, the natural resource trustees initiated preassessment of potentially injured resources such as birds, marine mammals, and marine invertebrates.
Working in cooperation with representatives of Ayu Navigation Snd and IMC Shipping, the trustees examined potential injuries to seabirds, anadromous fish streams, intertidal and subtidal resources, and terrestrial vegetation.
Known and potentially injured natural resources and services include the following:
Shoreline habitat. Shoreline cleanup assessment teams surveyed potentially affected shoreline and determined that segments comprising 70 miles of shoreline had areas that required further treatment.
Aquatic resources (including fish and shellfish and their habitats). Several of the most heavily oiled beaches were located at the mouth of anadromous fish streams.
Birds/wildlife. Approximately 1,700 bird carcasses were recovered or documented. Additional oiled birds were sighted but not captured. Oiled sea otter carcasses were also recovered.
Subsistence, recreational activities and other human use services. Unalaska is the traditional homeland of the Qawalangin Tribe. Tribal and other residents practice a robust subsistence lifestyle. The island holds a myriad of cultural resources dating from prehistoric times through WWII. It also hosts a growing recreational industry
The trustees are working with the responsible parties to assess the injuries to seabirds, seaducks and offer resources and services. The trustees have held public meetings in Unalaska and Anchorage to invite restoration project ideas.
