Bligh Reef, sometimes known as Bligh Island Reef,^[1] is a reef off the coast of Bligh Island in Prince William Sound, Alaska. This was the location of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.^[2] After the incident, 33 US Code § 2733 mandated the operation of an automated navigation light to prevent future collisions with the reef.^[3] Despite these efforts the tug Pathfinder ran aground on Bligh Reef on Dec 24, 2009, rupturing its tanks and spilling diesel fuel.^[4] Bligh Reef is also where Alaska Steamship Company's Olympia ran aground in 1910.^[5][6]

Bligh Reef serves as a fishing ground for halibut^[7] and a harvesting area for shrimp.^[8] The nearest town is Tatitlek, which lies seven miles (eleven kilometers) to the northeast.^[1]

The reef was named after William Bligh, of future HMS Bounty fame, who served as Master aboard ship during James Cook's third world voyage.