Photos and observations of the sheen thought to be caused by a fuel leak in the village of Shishmaref.
Observation by Gay Sheffield:
Attached are photos of the 2015 sheen event. Though a sample was taken, it turned out I was not an authorized sampler per federal guidelines. This May 2015 event is outdated but if it helps fill out the history of marine pollution events near Shishmaref, then please add it to LEO. When the sea ice was in front of Shishmaref, it sure seemed more than a "sheen". It was thought to be related to the incident that DEC/USCG called the "Shishmaref Sheen" - an ongoing issue from the a broken fuel header onshore. See the attached Final Situational Report #6. When asked to take a closer look it was because the smell from this spill was causing concern to community members drying marine mammal meat on racks downwind. There was concern about spoiling the taste / causing a health concern on the foods being prepared for human consumption. Though USCG and DEC were notified and provided these May 31 photos (right away), neither my report or these photos were included into the June situational report.
Shishmaref, Alaska
