ABSTRACT The Greater Puget Sound Basin is one of the largest oil handling areas on the West Coast of North America. Due to the increased local need for petroleum products and to the proposed influx of Alaskan North Slope crude oil in the near future, this area will undoubtedly experience even greater petroleum transportation and processing activities. In terms of living resources of economic value—fish, shellfish, waterfowl and aquatic animals—Puget Sound is one of the most productive estuaries on the Pacific Coast. There is increasing evidence that the extensive sport, commercial and aquacultural fisheries resources are threatened by pollution resulting from oil spilled in the transport, handling, and use of petroleum. This paper presents a stauts report of what is being done in the Pacific Northwest by the petroleum industry, state government and federal agencies to protect the environment prior to the anticipated expansion of the petroleum industry. Research activities which will provide additional information for minimizing the impact of oil pollution on an already pollution-stressed environment are also discussed.