News Details

Tar Ball Sightings

May 17, 2022

Oceanside Beach Lifeguards have spotted evidence of some tar balls in the water and some on the beach around the Pier.  The tar balls have been reported and an assessment and cleanup team has been ordered. 

All are reminded not to touch any tarballs they may encounter. Tarballs will be removed by trained teams. Tarball fact sheet

Updates will be provided below.

5/19/22 update: The CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR) obtained samples of the material and the preliminary results indicated that the tar balls found on the beach in Oceanside were showing “fingerprints” relating to natural seepage.  No indicators of any production processes were found in the samples. 

5/17/22, update: US Coast Guard and California Fish and Wildlife crews came to assess the tar. Samples were taken for analysis.  They'll return at low tide at 6:00 a.m. to assess beach conditions.