Oil spill prompts fishing closure in Long Beach Harbor

An oil spill in Long Beach Harbor on Sunday has prompted the Department of Fish and Game to close portions of the harbor to fishing.

The closure area extends from 300 feet south of the south bend of the Middle Breakwater north to Pier J, east along the shoreline of Pier J to the east end of the Long Beach Breakwater (about 2.75 miles into the bay). A map of the affected area is available on the Department of Fish and Game's website.

The closure, effective immediately, includes take of finfish and shellfish from either shorelines or boats.

The accident occurred late Sunday night when the vessel Da Tang 18 spilled an unknown amount of fuel into the harbor while refueling.

The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment recommended the fishing closure until an investigation determines the extent of the public health threat posed by the spill, which exceeded one barrel of oil. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Fish and Game are overseeing the cleanup operations.

The Department of Fish and Game has also activated the Oiled Wildlife Care Network to manage wildlife rescue operations if needed. Anyone who sees oiled wildlife should not attempt to catch them and instead should call the network at (877) 823-6926.

-- Kelly Burgess
twitter.com/latimesoutposts

Photo: Fuel slicks the water in Long Beach Harbor after a spill Sunday. Credit: Department of Fish and Game