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California Beaches Oiled: Tar Clumps Blanket Shoreline
22 Jul
Summary
- Unusual surge of tar and crude-oil clumps washed onto multiple California South Coast beaches.
- Surfers reported hundreds of oil slicks and being covered 'head to toe' in petroleum.
- Authorities are investigating the source but have no immediate tar-removal plans.
Beaches along California's South Coast have experienced an unusual influx of tar balls and crude oil clumps, leading to advisories for beachgoers. Reports from Santa Barbara County beaches on the morning of July 16, 2026, detailed significant tar deposits and a strong petroleum odor. Some areas, like near East Beach, saw blobs of oil as large as tennis balls washing ashore.
Multiple nearby beaches, including Shoreline Park and Carpinteria, were affected. One surfer reported extensive oil slicks extending about a mile offshore, coating them and their equipment. Local environmental groups have received numerous reports, with suspicions pointing towards natural seeps near Coal Oil Point. Despite the widespread impact on recreation and potential harm to wildlife, authorities are not planning immediate cleanup efforts.
The U.S. Coast Guard stated that natural seep cleanups typically lack funding, although federal funds could be used in rare circumstances. State and federal agencies, including the Coast Guard and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response, are working to identify the source. Oil samples have been sent for laboratory analysis to compare with known sources. Local officials are advising caution, urging beach users to avoid areas with prevalent oil and tar.
