NOAA Office of Satellite and Product Operations

Marine Pollution Products


15 MOST RECENT REPORTS
Region Issue Date Source Image Time Area (km2) Confidence Products COP* Map Icon
GULF OF MEXICO 04-25-2024 SENTINEL1A 04-25-2024
0018 UTC
86.70 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 04-25-2024 SENTINEL2A 04-24-2024
1639 UTC
255.00 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 04-23-2024 TERRA 04-23-2024
1620 UTC
322.60 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
GULF OF MEXICO 04-21-2024 RADARSAT2 04-21-2024
0015 UTC
148.60 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 04-20-2024 RADARSAT2 04-20-2024
2238 UTC
0.39 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 04-19-2024 SENTINEL1A 04-18-2024
2328 UTC
3.70 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip    
GULF OF MEXICO 04-14-2024 LANDSAT8 04-13-2024
1625 UTC
0.24 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA
ATLANTIC 04-08-2024 LANDSAT9 04-08-2024
1515 UTC
0.37 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 04-07-2024 LANDSAT8 04-06-2024
1619 UTC
3.68 Medium txt | jpg | zip    
GULF OF MEXICO 04-06-2024 LANDSAT9 04-05-2024
1626 UTC
1.25 Medium-High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 04-06-2024 LANDSAT9 04-05-2024
1626 UTC
0.81 Medium txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
GULF OF MEXICO 03-29-2024 LANDSAT8 03-28-2024
1626 UTC
48.48 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 03-28-2024 RADARSAT2 03-28-2024
1051 UTC
4.69 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 03-28-2024 RADARSAT2 03-27-2024
2237 UTC
2.40 High txt | jpg | zip ERMA  
ATLANTIC 03-21-2024 SENTINEL2A 03-20-2024
1605 UTC
3.29 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.