This spill had a great impact on the animals and humans that live in this area. It killed many animals and plants. It damaged many beaches and took many months to clean up. Between three thousand and five thousand sea otters were found dead on the shores and in the water. About thirty-one thousand birds were reported dead. Around eleven thousand people helped out in different ways. They cleaned the beaches and waters of Prince William Sound and whatever else they find to help. About one thousand four hundred vessels and eighty-five aircrafts helped in the clean up.

Twenty-nine thousand claims were filed for damages against Exxon Valdez. Most of the people that filed were fishermen, fish caneries, natives, and business owners. Exxon Valdez paid twenty million dollars for lost subsistence farming.