The Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) will convene its fifth annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum on May 17 and 18 in Lower Manhattan, with virtual participation options available. The Forum gathers ocean professionals and stakeholders representing federal and state agencies, Tribal entities, marine industries, nonprofit research and advocacy organizations, and the public.
The event will feature expert panel discussions on ocean planning topics including climate-ocean action, offshore wind energy in the Mid-Atlantic, conservation efforts in the region, diversity, equity and inclusion, sustainable ocean economies and much more. A poster session will also highlight the work of students and early career professionals.
Questions? Email info@midatlanticocean.org
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STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH WEBINAR |
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On April 7th, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) Executive Director Avalon Bristow presented an overview of the MARCO work plan for the next two years supported with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Investment and Infrastructure Jobs Act.
If you missed the MARCO Stakeholder Outreach webinar, it is available online.
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MACAN'S SPRING 2023 WEBINAR SERIES CONTINUES! |
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Join the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN) on May 22 for "OA Research Highlights Around the Region: Part 2" from 12-1:30 PM ET to learn more about social vulnerability analyses for the Atlantic sea scallop fishery and Chesapeake Bay oyster growers in relation to OA and other climate stressors, how a 3D estuarine-carbon-biogeochemistry model is being used to assess effects of projected coastal acidification conditions on oyster growth in Virginia tributaries, and how climate resilience of selectively-bred larval aquaculture broodstock compares to that of the wild Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Our featured speakers include Dr. Samantha Siedlecki (UConn), Brian Katz (OSU), Catherine Czajka (VIMS), and Annie Schatz (VIMS).
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April 24, 2023 "A Coupled Biogeochemical-Biological-Economic Modeling System to Quantify Climate Change Impacts on Oyster Aquaculture in Chesapeake Bay."
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MACO’S MID-ATLANTIC MARINE DEBRIS WORK GROUP'S CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT BALLOON LITTER |
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The Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean’s (MACO) Marine Debris Work Group is wrapping up a 5-year grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) to prevent balloon litter through the Mid-Atlantic Prevent Balloon Litter Campaign, a strategy that applies Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM). Building upon the research and strategy design of Virginia’s Joyful Send-Off CBSM campaign, previously funded by NOAA MDP, the work group developed a campaign for the Mid-Atlantic region to change behavior, and ultimately social norms, around balloon releases and provide people with alternative ways to celebrate.
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In order to develop an effective campaign, the work group conducted extensive research interviewing individuals from across all five Mid-Atlantic states. To learn more about this project, how it was implemented, what was achieved, and how it will continue click here for the full summary.
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MID-ATLANTIC OCEAN DATA PORTAL UPDATES: SPRING 2023 |
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Offshore Wind Proposed Sites |
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A number of map products and educational resources have been added to the Portal recently to help inform users on offshore wind planning in the region, Coast Guard port access route studies, artificial reefs, marine debris and more! |
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LAURA MCKAY RECEIVES THE ERCHUL ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARD |
VMI Photo by H. Lockwood McLaughlin |
Laura McKay, the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program manager, was awarded the Erchul Environmental Leadership Award at the annual Environment Virginia Symposium. McKay was recognized for her four decades of service in helping to save and restore critical migratory bird and wildlife habitats, increasing coastal resilience, and supporting oyster, eelgrass, and bay scallop restoration. She was also praised for her commitment to bringing people together and collaborating with other Mid-Atlantic states on shared ocean priorities. McKay has requested that the $1,500 donation accompanying the award be made to the Center for Conservation Biology at the College of William & Mary.
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IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH |
For Women's History Month in March, we celebrated our Virginia MARCO Board Member, Laura McKay! Take a look at her interview to see what advice she has for other women in science/ocean planning!
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OPEN REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS |
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The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean is seeking to fill a number of positions with qualified individuals or organizations to advance its Bipartisan Infrastructure funding work plan.
- Racial Equity Training & Consultation
- Regional Community-Based Social Marketing & Marine Debris Policy Research
- Educational Video Production
- Website Development
The application deadline for all positions is 11:59 PM on May 19, 2023.
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Avalon Bristow
Executive Director
Avalon Bristow began as MARCO's Program Manager in May of 2019 and became Program Director in October of 2020. As of April 2023 Avalon has begun her role as Executive Director of MARCO. Avalon is dedicated to enhancing the vitality of the ocean's ecosystem and economy across the Mid-Atlantic Region. Avalon believes that through increased capacity and stakeholder engagement, we can make significant strides towards this vital goal.
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Dr. Janet Reimer-Gill
Science Program Manager
Dr. Janet Reimer has a Ph.D. in Coastal Oceanography, with a focus on biogeochemistry of water and sediments, from the Autonomous University of Baja California (Mexico). Post-doctorate, she has worked for over a decade in the field of carbonate chemistry and carbon dioxide in the coastal ocean. Janet has served as a Program Co-Coordinator for the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN) since 2019 and worked as a research fellow at the University of Delaware working for Dr. Wei-Jun Cai since 2014. Janet’s early research career was spent in the Northeast at Southampton College (Long Island University) with Dr. Christopher Gobler and at Stony Brook University (SOMAS) working with Dr. Henry Bokunewicz. Her research in the last decade has focused on coastal acidification, the marine carbonate system, and CO2 air-sea exchange. Most recently, her research has been devoted to assessing long-term increases in surface CO2 and related increasing acidity in US Southeast waters though she has also collaborated on projects in the Delaware and Chesapeake Bays. She also has expertise in data acquisition and management as well as synthesis projects combining spatial and temporal data, project coordination, stakeholder-oriented acidification website design and maintenance, and stakeholder engagement.
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Jes Watts
Project Manager
Jes Watts is a Marine Science and Policy Specialist with over a decade of experience in ocean conservation and marine habitat protection. Jes specializes in coastal resiliency, and regional cooperative strategies for ocean resource management. They have decades of field experience collaborating with the maritime industry, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, and government/NGOs. Jes comes to MARCO from the Virginia Coastal Policy Center at William & Mary where their research centered on state ocean planning, and climate change adaptation for high-risk coastal communities. They retired from the US Coast Guard after a career of operational experience in maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. Jes highlights and amplifies diverse voices in their work, and strives to make ocean science more inclusive, equitable, and accessible.
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September Meagher
Outreach Coordinator
September Meagher has a background in geography and atmospheric science and has utilized her background in a variety of outreach roles. September is committed to bridging the gap between science and the community and believes it is crucial to engage everyone in conversations surrounding these resources to increase public awareness and promote responsible environmental stewardship.
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MARCO MANAGEMENT BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
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 Virginia, Will Isenberg. |
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STATE NEWS
DELAWARE: The new 2023-2024 Delaware Reef Guide covering Delaware’s artificial fishing reefs in the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean is now available. Published by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the updated guide includes artificial reef program history and the value of the reef program to the coastal economy, along with individual reef site descriptions, reef material deployments, reef coordinates and maps, and a quick reference guide to fishing hot spots.
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OTHER NEWS
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In March 2023, The White House released the "Ocean Climate Action Plan," which outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the impacts of climate change on the ocean and coastal communities. The plan highlights the need for international collaboration and partnerships to address the global challenges facing the ocean. Read the "Ocean Climate Action Plan" here.
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On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its Offshore Wind Energy Strategy, a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive summary of the Department’s efforts to meet President Biden’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030 and set the nation on a pathway to 110 GW or more by 2050. Deploying 30 GW of offshore wind would provide enough power for 10 million homes, support 77,000 jobs, and spur $12 billion per year in direct private investment. The Department-wide strategy outlines how DOE offices, including the Grid Deployment Office, will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in support of achieving a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035.Learn more about DOE’s Offshore Wind Energy Strategy.
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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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