OWL MAP

Launched in 2015, OWL MAP is a data visualization module aimed at displaying oil-based anomalies in the ocean. Created by Norweigan company Ocean Visuals, the platform enables users to project incident reports in real-time. Incidents are recorded using one of Ocean Visuals’ detection suites and are then sent to the sensor database. The sensor database, along with Ocean Visual’s oil sample database, is then projected within the OWL MAP module, where users can tailor data using the map-layers feature. Different data can be visualized, such as position, type, and volume of detected oil. Meteorological data is also integrated into the module, allowing users to view wind speeds and direction, wave height and direction, as well as sea currents and direction. OWL MAP is also supported by the Automatic Identification System for ships (AIS), helping hone in on vessels that were present at spill sites. OWL MAP even warns aquaculturists, such as salmon farmers, of oil near their operations. The only drawback to such warning mechanisms is that their jurisdiction is limited to Norway, where all operations are marked with a GPS location in the module.

Categories

Data, Ecological Monitoring, Lifestyle, Pollution, Regulation