Keeping our seas healthy takes vigilance and proactive action. Protect this place.
Friends of the San Juans works to protect the Salish Sea’s habitats, wildlife, communities, and recreational and cultural resources from the impacts of shipping. We monitor terminal and oil refinery projects, review permits, advocate for environmental protections, and oppose harmful projects when needed. We also provide resources to help other environmental organizations and the public get involved in these efforts.
At the heart of the Salish Sea, the San Juan Islands are surrounded by increasingly busy shipping lanes. The Salish Sea is one of the world’s largest and most biologically rich inland seas—it is home to more than 8.7 million people, and the population is expected to increase to over 10.5 million people by 2040.1
No other community organization keeps a closer watch on marine vessel traffic in the Salish Sea than Friends of the San Juans.
Vessel Traffic in the Salish Sea
Friends of the San Juans’ Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections report and infographic offer a comprehensive overview of projects that could increase large commercial vessel traffic in the Salish Sea. Commercial vessels bring noise, accident risks, and oil spill dangers that threaten our coastal communities and the fragile marine ecosystem.
These waters are home to 125 at-risk species, including the critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales.
Our projections illustrate the potential cumulative impacts of increased vessel traffic, helping island communities and decision-makers understand the heightened risks to local species and the Salish Sea ecosystem.
Vessel Traffic Reports + Infographics
Over-Water Oil Transfer Operations in Washington State
A major oil spill in our region would be devastating. So much is at risk—environmental, economic, and cultural resources, the endangered Southern Resident killer whales, and more.
Transferring oil to and/or from vessels over the water is one of the ways that oil spills can occur. Friends is monitoring oil transfer operations in the Salish Sea. With data in hand, we are advocating for stronger oil spill prevention and mitigation requirements.
Over-Water Oil Transfer Data
Comprehensive Map Tool
Friends of the San Juans has created an interactive tool to make data easier for the public to learn about oil transfer operations that occur in Washington State. It is our hope that this tool will increase community engagement and advocacy for stronger environmental protections in rulemakings and other regulatory updates.
Refinery and Bulk Oil-Handling Facilities Tool
In 2023 alone, Class 1 facilities (excluding pipelines) conducted 2,589 over-water oil transfer operations totaling 4,469,806,696 gallons. The interactive report tool below includes the transfers to and from vessels at these facilities and does not include oil transfer operations via pipeline, rail, or truck.
Protect this place with us!
We know that lasting change and robust environmental protections take careful planning and thinking with regional leadership. Our periodic action alerts equip you to take action and amplify our collective voices with local decision-makers.
Stay informed. Make a difference. Protect this place.
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Footnotes
1 Canada – U.S. Cooperation in the Salish Sea: 2021-2024 Action Plan
