To give people the training and tools they need to enhance New Jersey’s response to oil spills, the American Littoral Society (ALS) launched a SpillSpotters Network in spring 2012. ALS is training a network of citizen volunteers to identify and monitor our coastal natural resources and assist in oil spill response. Citizens can play a key role in an oil spill response. People who are enjoying the coast – boaters, kayakers, fishermen, birders, beachcombers, and hikers – are often the first to observe a change in conditions.

Marine Defenders is a website for mariners, boaters, environmentalists, and students looking to learn about oil pollution. The website provides information about the impact of oil on marine mammals and coastal ecology, how to identify and report oil spills, and the laws regarding oil pollution.  There is a  23-minute documentary called “Oil in Our Waters”, by Micah Fink, an Emmy nominated filmmaker, which offers a close look at oil pollution from ships and its impact on marine life. This site also contains lesson plans for high school and college biology and ecology classes, in-depth reports about the biological effects of oil on marine life, as well as a breakdown of the federal reward program for whistle blowers.