Mystery Spill/Monterey Bird Incident; Santa Cruz, California

Santa Cruz, California | 1997-Oct-24

Initial Notification: 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.