June 10, 2014 — Following a fish kill that left 450,000 Atlantic Menhaden dead in the Shark River, the American Littoral Society unveiled a new smartphone app — Marine Defenders — that allows citizen-scientists to report marine emergencies.
The app, which was announced May 28, was originally conceived and developed for reporting oil spills, according to a press release. However, the American Littoral Society expanded its purpose in response to pollution problems that were observed in regional waters.
It now allows for reporting on a broader variety of issues of concern along the coast, including algal blooms, jellyfish occurrences, fish kills, injured wildlife and marine debris.
“Our bays and coastal waters are facing a multitude of threats,” said Helen Henderson, program coordinator for the American Littoral Society. “We are putting this tool into the hands of thousands of people who will be eyes on the water, helping to protect and restore our bays and coast.”
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