Vision and Mission

The Gulf Monitoring Consortium (GMC) is a rapid response alliance that collects, analyzes and publishes images and other information acquired from space, from the air, and from the surface in order to investigate and expose pollution incidents that occur in the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Coast region.

Our members engage in systematic monitoring of pollution in the Gulf of Mexico using satellite images and mapping, aerial reconnaissance and photography, combined with on-the-ground and on-the-water observation and sampling.

The Consortium’s long-term goal is to reduce pollution by ensuring that industry and government pollution reports are accurate, credible and understandable, so that the true state of pollution related to energy development is widely acknowledged and incorporated into public policy and decision-making.

Key Principles

  • GMC is a fact-based data sharing organization, providing a platform for collecting, sharing and publishing information about petrochemical and fossil fuel pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and Gulf Coast Region.
  • GMC is not a platform for advocacy. However, Consortium members are encouraged to use GMC-produced information within their missions and programs.
  • GMC is a participation-driven organization; membership is predicated on active involvement of members in support of GMC monitoring activities.

Structure

The consortium is collaboration among peers, composed of organizations committed to actively pursuing the goals and principals of GMC.

A Steering Committee consisting of the three founding organizations – SkyTruth, SouthWings, and Waterkeeper Alliance – oversees membership and GMC-branded communications.

Membership Criteria

GMC welcomes new members provided they:

  • Represent established non-profit organizations, or organizations with a non-profit fiscal agent.
  • Pursue a mission that is compatible with monitoring and investigation of pollution in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Agree to abide by the Key Principles of the organization (see above).
  • Contribute specific capabilities that support the mission and goals of the consortium.
  • Actively promote GMC and its activities to their stakeholders, audiences and constituencies, and credit GMC and other GMC members as sources of information provided through GMC activities.
  • Agree that membership is based on participation. Members must actively participate in the investigation of Gulf pollution incidents; for example, by providing useful data or information, services, or labor.
  • Agree that GMC is not an advocacy platform; it is a platform for collecting, sharing and publishing information and analysis about pollution in the Gulf related to oil and gas activity.  However, members are encouraged to use GMC-produced information within their missions and programs, as long as GMC is credited as the source and the information is not misrepresented or misused.
  • Agree that all activities conducted in connection with GMC must comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
  • Agree that messaging by members that has or implies endorsement by the Consortium is subject to prior approval by the Steering Committee.
  • Are in good standing with relevant regulatory agencies.

 Although not necessarily a disqualifier, engagement in direct action/civil disobedience should not be the primary purpose or principal activity of a GMC member organization.

Membership Process

  • Organizations may request to join the consortium by direct communication with one of the steering committee members.
  • New members may be added to the consortium by request at any time by unanimous decision of the steering committee.
  • Should any member fail to abide by the principles of the organization or otherwise fail to maintain membership in good standing, the steering committee may revoke membership at any time.
  • Any member may leave the Consortium at any time for any reason.

Download a copy of our membership guidelines and principles, and contact John Amos if you are interested in becoming a Gulf Monitoring Consortium member.