This report is the first in a series of coastal bitumen fieldwork studies being carried out in South Australia over the duration of one year by the Organic Geochemistry Unit, Department of Geology and Geophysics, University of Adelaide and the South Australian Department of Mines and Energy (SADME). The following account contains; - a synopsis of all previous papers on the occurrence of coastal bitumen along the South Australian coast, - the aims of the present project, and - the results of the first field trip along the South-East coast of South Australia during September 1990. The primary aim of this SENRAC project is to monitor local seismic activity and to locate tremor epicentres. Secondary objectives are the monitoring of coastal waters for oil slicks, and of ocean beaches for subsequent strandings of coastal bitumen. The project was initiated following an earthquake in December 1986, located 20 miles off Beachport, and the consequent stranding of tons of oil on Kangaroo Island twenty two days later. This stranding is similar to others previously documented. However, in the past we have had only hearsay' evidence linking earthquakes with coastal bitumen strandings. It is hoped that the proposed field and laboratory studies will establish whether or not such a correlation exists. The aims of the beach monitoring programme reported so far are as follows:1. to carry out systematic sampling of bitumen along all the accessible beaches of Kangaroo Island and southeastern South Australia, and to establish the preferred locations and frequency of strandings throughout the year.2. to select specific beaches for the detailed monitoring of strandings. At each of the chosen localities all the bitumen pieces are to be removed from the beach and then the site is to be revisited bi-monthly for 1 year to establish, a) the time of year and climatic conditions when strandings occur, b) their seasonal location on the beach, and c) any relationship between strandings and seismic activity in the Otway Basin.3. to monitor the pollution from tanker spills and washings, and fuel leakages from other marine vessels.