The process of cleaning up marine debris begins by taking surveys of affected areas using technologies such as sonar and airborne lidar. The collected data is then processed using automatic target detection algorithms, which identify possible debris in the datasets we collect. Finally, trained analysts then look at each of these targets to work out whether they are natural features, or man-made objects that should be cleaned up.

However, after a large-scale disaster like Super Storm Sandy, there can be far too many debris targets and not enough trained analysts to look at all of them. We are interested in learning if the general public, even if they are not formally trained, can help perform these analyses in order to aid speedy disaster response.

The interface on the bottom of this page allows you to view actual potential marine debris targets from areas affected by Super Storm Sandy. We’d appreciate your help in identifying debris, so that we can use the results to help the effort to clean up. What we learn will also be used to help future clean-up efforts after the next big storm.