Regional Ocean Partnerships are Federally Authorized |
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Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs) were recently authorized under the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA). The authorization recognized all four existing ROPs, which includes MARCO, the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and the West Coast Ocean Alliance. It also articulated a governance structure and framework to inform potential new partnerships.
MARCO, the Mid-Atlantic ROP, was established in 2009 by the governors of its five member states (VA, MD, DE, NJ, and NY) to facilitate regional, inter-jurisdictional coordination around the management of ocean resources through regional ocean planning, data sharing, and collaborative efforts.
You can read the full legislation here, with Regional Ocean Partnerships beginning on page 3868.
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MARCO Report Examines the Value of an Expanded Regional Ocean Economy |
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A new report released last month by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) calculates the contributions of oft-overlooked portions of the ocean economy, concluding that marine research and education, state expenditures related to the ocean, and coastal electricity production support 38,000 jobs and $25.5 billion in annual economic activity. The analysis also uses a new approach to estimate the value of peak summer tourism with greater precision than standard government measures, and for the first time attempts to place an economic value on the region’s “blue carbon” – the ability of marine plants to store carbon that would otherwise be released to the atmosphere and exacerbate climate change.
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Marine Sanctuaries Webinar |
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If you missed the Marine Sanctuaries as a Mid-Atlantic Ocean Conservation Tool webinar, you now can view it online. We would like to thank our presenters for their excellent presentations: Ben Haskell, Deputy Superintendent Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuaries who presented a case study of sanctuaries as a conservation tool, and
Karl Vilacoba, Communications Director, Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University who demonstrated how the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal can be used to visualize use of ocean and coastal space.
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Portal Fishing Data Ocean Story |
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VMS, VTR, AIS. What's the difference?
Our latest “Ocean Stories” feature breaks down the Portal's commercial fishing data and how the industry has helped us improve it. (Best viewed on a non-mobile device.)
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MACAN Announces First Webinar of Spring 2023 Series |
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The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network’s (MACAN) Spring 2023 webinar series launches March 2, 2023 with “OA Research and Education Highlights Around the Region.” Join us from 12 – 1 PM ET to learn how scientists are using a coupled physical-biogeochemical model to examine the impacts of extreme discharge events and climate change on the carbonate system and shellfish beds of the York River Estuary, how climate resilience of selectively-bred larval aquaculture broodstock compares to that of the wild Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and how collaborative partnerships between scientists and educators have led to new education materials focused on the effects of ocean acidification on American lobsters.
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Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal Winter 2023 Update |
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The Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal recently announced several new map products, tool enhancements and informational resources for users including commercial fishing vessel activity, Central Atlantic draft wind energy areas, opportunities for public comments and other public agency and partner news and more.
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MARCO Management Board Member Spotlight –
New York, Christie Mazzeo-Pfoertner
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As part of an effort to help MARCO stakeholders and partners get to know members of the MARCO Management Board, the quarterly newsletter has added a new feature – “Spotlight on a Management Board Member.” This month’s spotlight is on the alternative representative from New York, Christie Mazzeo-Pfoertner.
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State News
Delaware: Our Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan webpage is now publicly accessible and includes an informational one-pager located by clicking on the “Questions and Answers” button on the right side of the page.
Virginia: Work on Virginia's Ocean Plan is continuing with development of marine mammal and sea turtle conservation plans that will be woven into the overall plan. The possibility of establishing "highly fished areas" (similar to New Jersey's) will be investigated and possibly combined with important areas for scientific research, tourism and conservation. A public meeting is envisioned for late spring to gather input on findings to date.
New York: The Village of Patchogue, on the South Shore of Long Island, has experienced increased flooding due to sea level rise and increase in severe weather. They received a grant from the NYS Department of State’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to design a living shoreline. Read more
New Jersey: Murphy Administration Awards $24.3 Million Through Its Natural Climate Solutions Grant Program and $8 Million to build a diverse, inclusive green jobs sector. Read more
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Click to view the entire newsletter in PDF. |
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Photo Credits: Header (L-R): Coral, NOAA-OER/BOEM; Wind turbines, Ralf Hettler; Kayaks, Raul Rosa; Shipping container, Dan Barnes; Schooling fish, Jet Chen Tan; U.S. Naval ships, Gina Addison. Body. Footer (L-R) Fishing boat, William Sherman; Diver, Michael Eversmier; Beach scene, Christie Mazzeo-Pfoertner |
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ABOUT MARCO
Established in 2009 by the Governors of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, MARCO provides a forum for our coastal Mid-Atlantic states to collaborate on shared regional priorities related to marine habitats, renewable offshore energy, climate change adaptation, and ocean water quality. MARCO initiated and oversees the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal to assist the region with ocean planning efforts. For more information about MARCO, visit our website, MidAtlanticOcean.org.
CONNECT WITH US!
Thank you for your continued interest in MARCO. We welcome questions and feedback you may have, including content for upcoming issues of MARCO News. To provide comments or suggestions, or to join our email distribution list, please click "Join Our Mailing List" below, or contact us at: info@midatlanticocean.org.
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