MARCO News | April 2015

MARCO News, April 2015

The MARCO Management Board welcomes you to the April issue of MARCO News.

MARCO Management Board Approves Mid-Atlantic Submarine Canyon Data Analysis Project

MARCO's Management Board has recently approved a project that will draw upon the renowned expertise of the Biology Department of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) to analyze information from 2013 and 2014 submarine Mid-Atlantic canyons exploration. Imagery collected during these expeditions will be used to identify the locations, distribution and taxonomy of deep-sea corals, fish and sponges in Mid-Atlantic submarine canyons. Read More

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MARCO Welcomes New Executive Director, Kate Killerlain Morrison

MARCO is pleased to announce the arrival of our new Executive Director, Kate Killerlain Morrison. Kate comes to MARCO from the Sargasso Sea Commission, where she served as Deputy Executive Secretary. Kate began her new role on April 6 and joins the team of four staff members in supporting MARCO's key regional priorities To learn more about Kate and hear some of her perspectives on the Mid-Atlantic: Read More

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Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body Celebrates 2nd Anniversary

On April 4^th, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (MidA RPB) celebrated its second anniversary of coordinated action towards a Regional Ocean Action Plan (OAP) for the Mid-Atlantic. Now in it's third year, the RPB is moving forward with three workflows towards achieving an OAP: Interjurisdictional Coordination, Data Synthesis and a Regional Ocean Assessment (ROA). Stakeholder engagement is an integral part of each workflow. For a full update on MidA RPB progress: Read More

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A Fresh Take on Storm Forecasting May Save Lives, Money

MARCO is funding a series of workshops to assist partners in developing a Coastal Storm Severity Index (CSSI) for the Mid-Atlantic region. The CSSI will be a new way of conveying the potential impacts of forecasted coastal storms to decision makers and the general public. Unlike the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, based solely upon sustained wind speed, the CSSI will also use forecasted precipitation (amount and type), storm surge, wind, tidal levels, and storm duration to convey potential storm impacts. Read More

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Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal to Launch New Map Groups Feature

Soon you will be better able to connect with a growing network of ocean stakeholders and collaborate around a common theme using a new Portal map group feature. You can provide valuable input into how the tools are working by becoming a map group tester. Testing will take place in May and June. To learn more about map group or to sign as a tester, Read More

and also be sure to sign up for May's How Tuesday Portal Webinar.

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Opportunity

MARCO seeks Proposals for Development of Regional Ocean Assessment (ROA)

Upcoming Events

The following events may be of interest to the Mid-Atlantic ocean community:

Mid-Atlantic Waterways Conference - Portsmouth, Virginia; April 21-23
Ocean Frontiers II Premiere and Panel Discussion - Long Branch, New Jersey; April 21
A Peek Into Our Past: A Century of Oceanic Changes - Baltimore, Maryland; April 28
"How Tuesday" Ocean Data Portal Webinar - May 5
MARACOOS 2015 Annual Meeting - Baltimore, Maryland; May 7-8
Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW) 2015 - Washington, DC; June 9-12

Check the MARCO Events Calendar regularly for event updates and new postings.

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 [email protected].

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 (top-bottom): Fathead fish, NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Our Deepwater Backyard: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts; Kate Killerlain Morrison, self; Assateague sunrise, ?2013 Zach Frailey; SuperStorm Sandy radar image, ISRO/NASA/JPL-Caltech; Ocean Planning graphic, Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal. Footer (L-R) Fishing boat, William Sherman; Diver, Michael Eversmier; Beach scene, Chris Parypa.