Avalon Bristow

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Regional engagement via the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Partnership

OA State-to-State - 2024

September 10, 2024

Regional Ocean Partnerships

Authorized by Congress as, “intergovernmental coordinators for shared regional priorities among States and Indian Tribes relating to the collaborative management of the large marine ecosystems, thereby reducing duplication of efforts and maximizing opportunities to leverage support in the ocean and coastal regions.

The ROP for the Mid-Atlantic is MARCO

5 States:

• NY
• NJ
• DE
• MD
• VA

MARCO has 4 shared regional priorities

Marine Habitats: Protect important habitat and sensitive and unique offshore areas

Offshore Wind: Support the sustainable development of offshore renewable energy

Climate Change: Prepare the region’s coastal communities for the impacts of climate change

Water Quality: Promote coastal water quality improvements

Approach

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee

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Collaborative, topic-specific work groups (including MACAN)

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Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal

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Regional WIldlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind (in partnership with NROC)

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Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal

Partnerships & information exchange via the Mid-A OPC

• Membership is open to governmental agencies including states, Federal agencies, Tribes, and Fishery Management
• Guided by a Steering Committee with representatives from all aforementioned sectors
• Provides a forum for informal coordination across agencies and jurisdictions
• Receives public input via an annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum

Stakeholder Engagement via Work Groups

• Work Groups, like MACAN, have broader membership - their work helps inform and advance priorities set by MARCO leadership and the Mid-A OPC
• Individual work plans for each work group, including specific projects, stakeholder engagement activities

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network

• MACAN is a partnership between MARCO and MARACOOS
• Was established in 2016, and since that time has been working on ID’ing monitoring needs for the Mid-Atlantic, potential impacts on species, hosting an annual webinar series, developing educational materials, and more
• With BIL funding through MARCO, other funding through MARACOOS, and support from NOAA OAP Core CAN funds - MACAN has drastically increased its capacity to advance communications products
• There is room to grow and reach other audiences

Get in touch!

Avalon Bristow

abristow@midatlanticocean.org

www.midatlanticocean.org

www.midacan.org

portal.midatlanticocean.org

WEBSITES