Process and Timeline for Fisheries Closure after an Oil Spill

California Fish and Game Code 5654 establishes the initial timeline for a fisheries closure action after an oil spill notification is received.

• Within 24 hours after spill notification:
  • CDFW must close fisheries unless OEHHA determines that fishing is unlikely to pose a public health threat (Fish and Game Code 5654).
• Within 48 hours after spill notification:
  • Public access may be restricted for spill response and worker safety.
  • In some cases, the oil may break down quickly and no closure action is needed.
  • An initial closure can be lifted without seafood testing if a public health threat is unlikely as determined by OEHHA.

• More than 48 hours after spill notification:

  • If fisheries closure continues more than 48 hours after spill notification, then rapid testing of seafood is required before fisheries can be re-opened.

  • Following smaller spills, only shellfish such as bivalve mollusks may be tested because these species pose a greater risk of accumulating PAHs.

  • Following larger spills, finfish or other shellfish may be tested.

  • See our Oil Spills and Seafood Fact Sheet for details on seafood testing, laboratory analyses, and OEHHA’s risk evaluation.

  • See our flow chart (also shown to the right) for the process and approximate timeline to re-opening.