NOAA Office of Satellite and Product Operations

Marine Pollution Products


15 MOST RECENT REPORTS Last Update: 09/25/2023 0354 UTC
Region Issue Date Source Image Time Area (km2) Confidence Products COP* Map Icon
GULF OF MEXICO 09-25-2023 SENTINEL2A 09-24-2023
1630 UTC
0.35 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 09-24-2023 SENTINEL1A 09-24-2023
0002 UTC
13.41 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
PACIFIC 09-23-2023 SENTINEL1A 09-23-2023
1715 UTC
11.55 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 09-23-2023 RADARSAT2 09-23-2023
1149 UTC
7.06 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 09-22-2023 SENTINEL2B 09-21-2023
1535 UTC
2.60 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 09-20-2023 LANDSAT9 09-19-2023
1619 UTC
0.51 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 09-18-2023 SENTINEL1A 09-17-2023
2313 UTC
49.33 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 09-18-2023 RADARSAT2 09-17-2023
2237 UTC
2.06 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 09-16-2023 SENTINEL1A 09-15-2023
2328 UTC
5.98 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 09-16-2023 SENTINEL1A 09-15-2023
2328 UTC
7.86 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 09-14-2023 RADARSAT2 09-14-2023
1112 UTC
11.28 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 09-14-2023 RADARSAT2 09-14-2023
1112 UTC
4.94 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 09-13-2023 SENTINEL1A 09-13-2023
1110 UTC
24.36 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 09-12-2023 SENTINEL1A 09-12-2023
0002 UTC
1.95 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 09-09-2023 LANDSAT8 09-09-2023
1632 UTC
0.21 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:

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.