Seaworthy phone apps help in fight against oceanic pollution

World Oceans Day may only be officially celebrated on one day of the year, but there is an opportunity to take matters into your own hands - quite literally - for the remaining 364 days, with a number of phone apps designed to help protect the environment and aid in the fight against oceanic pollution.

Seafood Watch Program

Run by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, this app helps consumers and businesses choose seafood that’s fished or farmed using sustainable methods. Using a respected science-based recommendation system, the app categorizes choices into ‘Best Choices’ or ‘Good Alternatives’. (www.seafoodwatch.org). Available in iOS and Android.

Marine Debris Tracker

Launching in 2010, this app has helped thousands of citizen scientists log more than 1.5 million pieces of litter and debris all over the world. It allows users to report trash found along coastlines and in waterways, and users can accurately enter items of trash spotted while out or near the water. (www.marinedebris.engr.uga.edu). Available in iOS and Android.

Endangered Waves

Developed by Save the Waves organization, Endangered Waves can help surfers monitor the health of their favorite spots and identify critical threats by collecting data from areas where it is sparse. It allows users to collect data on oil spills, sewage, trash and coastal erosion. (www.savethewaves.org/mobileapp). Available in iOS and Android.

Fishangler

Designed for the recreational angler (of which there are over 45 million in the U.S.) to log fishing experiences, discover new spots and access NOAA and USGS weather and water data. Users can crowdsource fish catch data, which would help fisheries managers, the scientific community and the fishing community to better understand and protect fish stocks. (www.fishangler.com). Available on iOS and Android.

Sofar Spotter

Get clear, concise, detailed marine weather using the latest in drone and spotter technology, both above and below the water. These very same tools also help scientists and researchers gain valuable knowledge necessary for the most accurate data available. (www.sofarocean.com). Available in iOS and Android.

Seasee

This award-winning app uses augmented reality to let users view what it would look like if the oceans in front of them were drained of water. Using bathymetric (seafloor depth) data, the app generates 3D views to explore the ocean floor, from shipwrecks to marine habitats. (www.eauligo.com). Available in iOS and Android.

SOpHIE

Users of SOpHIE (the Surface Ocean pH Interactive Explorer) can help gather crucial knowledge of coastal areas that may be at risk of ocean acidification. Using satellite and collected data from the app, SOpHIE can better determine what areas of the oceans are at risk. (sophietheapp.com). Available only in Android.

Ocearch Shark Tracker/Shartivity

If you find the Great White Shark an object of beauty and respect (or just like to keep tabs on them), download the Ocearch tracker to locate these vulnerable creatures that have been tagged and monitored. For example, there were three spotted off the coast of Delaware in 2017, and three more just recently spotted off the coast of North Carolina. The Ocearch app also recently added a seal, dolphin, alligator and whale-tracking feature. Sharktivity focuses on the Eastern seaboard and sends out push notifications when one is spotted in the area and even includes open-water shark livestreaming of research in action. (ocearch.com/tracker) Available in iOS and Android, but recommended use is desktop version at www.ocearch.org/tracker.

Whale Alert

Ship strikes are the most common form of whale mortality. By using this app while on the water, it uploads valuable data to help protect the various species, many of which are on the endangered list. Additionally, the app provides identification and information on the various species. (www.whalealert.org). Available in iOS and Android.

NOAA Buoy Data Reader

Boaters can use NOAA Buoy Data Reader retrieves your current location and presents a list of NOAA Weather Buoy locations near you. Simply click on a specific buoy and retrieve sea condition data, including wind speed, gusts, and direction as well as pressure and other relevant marine data. (www.veronasolutions.net) .Available in iOS only.

All of these apps can assist in the necessary task of data collection and provide current, necessary information to scientists who monitor the health of the ocean and its inhabitants. Some are only available for certain platforms, so if you wish for it to be created for your phone’s software, email the developer directly.

If you have any additional apps that you think should be included, email me at rrector@merrinstitute.org and I will try to compile another list throughout the summer. If you appreciate any aspect of the ocean and beach, you should take part, whatever small, in ensuring its health for the future.