Containing Vessel Pollution

Shipping and boating are important parts of the Bay's history, identity and economy. The Bay is a hub for commercial shipping and supports numerous ports, including the the Port of Oakland – the fourth busiest in the U.S. – as well as thousands of recreational vessels.

Special Initiative: Helping Gulf Coast Waterkeepers Respond to the BP Oil Spill

San Francisco Baykeeper stepped in to support the local Waterkeepers of the Gulf Coast as they faced a major ecological threat to their waterways from the BP oil spill in the Gulf. As a veteran of previous oil spills and a strong advocate for Coast Guard and oil spill policy reforms, Baykeeper was able to provide key technical expertise to the Gulf Coast Waterkeepers. Baykeeper also sent two staff members to the Gulf to be stationed with Louisiana Bayoukeeper and Lower Mississippi Riverkeeper, and with the Emerald Coastkeeper. We will continue to support the Gulf Coast Waterkeepers as they cope with long-term damage from the spill, and we are working to reform wildlife rescue practices and community engagement nationwide in response to systemic problems in the Coast Guard’s response to the Gulf oil disaster.

Improving Oil Spill Response Measures in the Bay

Baykeeper was a lead responder to the Cosco Busan oil spill of November 2007 that released 53,000 gallons of bunker fuel into the Bay. Since then, Baykeeper has played a key role in improving oil spill response policy in the Bay Area and across the country. Read more about Baykeeper's work to improve oil spill policy.

Controlling Invasive Species

Baykeeper is working to reduce the influx of invasive species to the San Francisco Bay Estuary. Read more about our work to control the spread of invasive species.

Clearing Our Waterways of Abandoned Boats

Baykeeper is tackling the issue of boats abandoned throughout the Bay and Delta. Abandoned boats are a serious threat to the Bay's water quality, as well as a navigational hazard in our waterways. Read more about Baykeeper's work to clear our waterways of abandoned boats.

Cleaning Up the Ghost Fleet

Baykeeper filed suit in 2007 to force the federal government to clean up a fleet of decaying military ships in Suisun Bay know as the Ghost Fleet. These boats are depositing toxic chemicals into the Bay's sediment and food chain. Read more about Baykeeper's work to clean up the Ghost Fleet.