Intermittent Oil Sheen; Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Bright Bank

76V8VPG3+H3 | 2026-Aug-25

Initial Notification: On August 25, 2026, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Marine Safety Unit (MSU) Port Arthur contacted the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) regarding an intermittent oil sheen observed at location WCB-657 (Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Bright Bank). The sheen was first reported on August 6, 2026, and has since generated multiple reports to the National Response Center, as well as Marine Pollution Surveillance Reports (MPSRs) from the Satellite Analysis Branch of NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service). The source of the discharge remains unidentified. Given the sensitive location within a National Marine Sanctuary, the USCG is requesting operational guidance and initiating an Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation to ensure response actions minimize potential impacts on protected marine resources.