The most immediate economic shock of the May 19 oil spill along the Gaviota Coast will be to fisheries. In fact, an urchin diver and nearshore fisherman named Stace Cheverez has brought the first legal complaint against pipeline operator Plains All American Pipeline, LP, a federal class-action lawsuit that was filed in Los Angeles on Monday.
While seafood harvesters depend on the Santa Barbara channel’s vibrant ecosystems for their livelihoods to the tune of $6.5 million in revenues, the South Coast’s tourism industry also banks on the draw of a pristine coastline, and the hospitality industry is bracing for impact.
President of the Santa Barbara area Chamber of Commerce Ken Oplinger expressed concern that national media coverage has “given folks the impression that [the spill] is happening right here in town.” The Chamber is thus directing efforts at media outreach.