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Marine Pollution Products

15 MOST RECENT REPORTS
Region Issue Date Source Image Time Area (km2) Confidence Products COP* Map Icon
GULF OF MEXICO 07-15-2024 SENTINEL1A 07-14-2024
2354 UTC
1.39 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 07-13-2024 SENTINEL1A 07-12-2024
2234 UTC
0.90 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 07-12-2024 LANDSAT8 07-12-2024
1520 UTC
0.28 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 07-09-2024 RADARSAT2 07-09-2024
1047 UTC
2.80 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 07-09-2024 RADARSAT2 07-08-2024
2233 UTC
8.66 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 07-08-2024 SENTINEL1A 07-08-2024
0002 UTC
4.64 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 07-08-2024 SENTINEL1A 07-08-2024
0002 UTC
18.58 Medium txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 07-06-2024 SENTINEL2B 07-06-2024
1558 UTC
5.05 Medium txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 07-06-2024 RADARSAT2 07-05-2024
2358 UTC
0.63 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 07-06-2024 SENTINEL2B 07-05-2024
1628 UTC
17.86 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 07-04-2024 SENTINEL2A 07-03-2024
1639 UTC
0.11 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 07-03-2024 RADARSAT2 07-02-2024
2346 UTC
7.90 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 07-03-2024 SENTINEL2B 07-02-2024
1618 UTC
0.07 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 07-03-2024 SENTINEL2A 07-02-2024
1536 UTC
0.77 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 07-02-2024 LANDSAT9 07-01-2024
1631 UTC
0.47 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
*ERMA Common Operational Picture

Monitoring the Oceans for Oil Spills

In December 2008 the NOAA/NESDIS Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB) began to develop the capability of detecting oil slicks in order to meet the request for oil spill support from the Emergency Response Division (ERD). The SAB Marine Pollution Surveillance Program became fully operational in late 2010. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and multi-spectral satellite imagery is routinely analyzed on a 24x7x365 basis for accidental and intentional crude oil discharges within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and its approaches.

Primary users of the Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) include:
  • NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS)
  • United States Coast Guard (USCG)
  • Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
  • International Customers when requested

Mission Objectives: Provide satellite derived analyses of oil location, extent, and relative thickness (when possible) for oil spill incidences declared by the National Ocean Service Emergency Response Division. Routinely monitor U.S. waters and approaches for accidental and intentional crude oil discharges and report findings to NOS, USCG, and BSEE.

The Marine Pollution Surveillance Report

The Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR) is created in near real time by an operational analyst when an anomaly believed to be oil is identified in satellite imagery. Reports include the following information:

  • Image date and time
  • Satellite sensor, spatial resolution, and mode / polarization if applicable
  • Report date and time
  • Estimated surface area of the oil slick
  • Confidence level based on internal criteria and practical experience
  • Remarks and uncertainties
  • Derived map products in JPEG format
  • GIS files
View the MPSRs in: Gulf of Mexico ERMA or Atlantic ERMA

More information on Marine Pollution Surveillance Report (MPSR): PDF

Archived Oil Spill MPSRs:

2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2018.zip (Jan-Feb), 2017.zip, 2016.zip, 2015.zip, 2014.zip, 2013.zip, 2012.zip, 2011.zip

For information on oil spill response and assessment please visit the Office of Response and Restoration.