Virginia Role on Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO)

The ocean waters of the Mid-Atlantic provide a wealth of economic and environmental services. State and federally managed waters are used in many ways: commercial fishing, offshore wind development, aquaculture, shipping, military exercises, sand mining, habitat for wildlife, recreation, etc. The intensity of these human influences and uses continues to increase, creating a new generation of challenges and urgency for responsible and sustainable management. The Mid-Atlantic States are committed to embracing new comprehensive, regional approaches to address these challenges, and to ensure that future generations can enjoy healthy and productive ocean ecosystems. 

In 2008 the Coastal Zone Management Programs of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia began discussing the need for a regional approach to managing the Mid-Atlantic’s ocean resources and uses. After developing a white paper and crafting an agreement to work together, in June 2009, the governors of these five states signed a Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Conservation Agreement (pdf) and  created the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO). This Council advocates in one voice to leverage greater state influence on the management of mid-Atlantic offshore areas and to direct federal and interstate actions and resources.

The Virginia CZM Program Manager represents Virginia on the MARCO Management Board. The Board meets monthly and each state serves two-year terms as Chair of the Board. As of July 1 2021, Delaware is the current Chair. 

MARCO supports a variety of intergovernmental work groups. For more information on these groups’ work plans and progress reports go to: https://www.midatlanticocean.org/ocean-planning/work-groups-collaborative-efforts/

Mid-Atlantic Governors’ Priorities

  • Collaborate on a regional approach to support sustainable development of renewable energy in offshore areas.
  • Prepare the region’s coastal communities for the impacts of climate change on the region’s ocean and coastal resources.
  • Coordinate the protection of important marine habitats, including sensitive and unique offshore areas such as corals, canyons and migration corridors.
  •  Promote improvements in ocean l water quality.

Mid-Atlantic Governor's Actions

(each goal is outlined in detail at the bottom of this page)

  • Promoting Renewable Offshore Energy - Reduce the region’s reliance on fossil fuels and increase its energy independence by making the Mid-Atlantic a leader in the appropriate development of offshore wind energy. 
  • Protecting Critical Ocean Habitats - Protect the region’s ecologically significant offshore habitats. Identify measures to ensure the long term protection of sensitive habitats such as submarine canyons, deep sea corals and threatened wildlife such as sea turtles, marine mammals and sea birds.
  • Preparing for Climate Change Impacts - Assess and address the key vulnerabilities of the region and advance protection of its “blue economy” from climate change impacts.
  • Improving Water Quality - Support the health of the region’s tourism and fishing industries by addressing threats to water quality such as marine debris and ocean acidification.

Read the latest issue of the MARCO E-News and visit the MARCO website for publications highlighting the council's activities.

Focus of MARCO

Mapping Mid-Atlantic Coast and Ocean Resources and Uses:

In December 2010 MARCO launched the first US regional ocean data portal ---the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal. The Virginia CZM Program funded initial development of the portal and continues to lead MARCO’s intergovernmental Ocean Mapping and Data Team to keep the portal updated. –The Portal supports multi-use, regional-scale ocean planning by gathering the best-available, regionally relevant data and presents it in a user-friendly platform to engage all stakeholders in ocean planning. It includes over 6,000 data layers, easy-to-use functions (such print/export, share a map and linear measurement tool) and a data catalogue that allows users to download data layers and view user-friendly metadata. As you enter the portal, you can view a variety of “ocean stories,” view all the map layers, take tutorials on how to use the portal or collaborate with colleagues through a group function.  

A screenshot showing MARCO Portal Homepage.

The data are organized around the following themes: Administrative Boundaries, Fishing, Fishing-Communities at Sea, Marine Life, Marine Life Library, Maritime Industries, Oceanography, Recreation, Renewable Energy, Seafloor Habitat, Security, Socioeconomic and Water Quality.

Go to Virginia Ocean Planning for more information on Virginia-specific activities in Virginia.

Offshore Habitats

Vital estuaries, fed by large rivers and countless tributaries, a broad sandy continental shelf, cold water coral reefs, deep submarine canyons – these are some of the diverse ocean and nearshore habitats of the Mid-Atlantic region. They support a rich diversity of marine life, including sea turtles, whales, dolphins, seabirds, and an array of fish and crustaceans. This ecological wealth supports valuable commercial and recreational fisheries.

As ocean uses such as shipping and offshore wind intensify, so too does the need to understand potential impacts to marine habitats and wildlife, and how best to manage the human activities that affect complex ocean ecosystems on which humans depend.

Although the states’ jurisdictions only extend 3 nautical miles offshore, all of the states have a vast economic and ecological interest in the habitats located both within and beyond 3 nautical miles.

 A screenshot of the MARCO portal with corals observed and core abundance of cetaceans at Mid-A scale.

Above - MARCO Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal screenshot above shows deep-sea coral and sponge habitat data layers.

Water Quality

The beaches and shores of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean generate billions of dollars in tourism-related revenue each year, and are a major economic driver for the five ocean-going states of the region. Commercial and recreational fisheries also support coastal communities and provide significant economic output. These activities rely on maintaining the high water quality of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean to ensure the protection of human health. Threats to the region’s beaches, seafood safety and human health can be tied to marine debris and ocean acidification. Issues that MARCO is addressing through its work groups.

A screenshot of the MARCO portal with corals observed and core abundance of cetaceans at Mid-A scale

Above - MARCO Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal screenshot shows locations of marine debris monitoring activity. 

Renewable Energy

Since MARCO was established in 2009, huge advances have been made in developing offshore wind. Rhode Island installed the first 6 offshore wind turbines in state waters in 2016 and Virginia installed the first 2 turbines in federal waters in 2020. A series of offshore wind construction projects are expected to begin in 2023.

A screenshot from the MARCO portal showing proposed wind energy areas for lease.

Above - MARCO Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal screenshot shows proposed wind energy areas of lease.

Climate Change

The economy, environment and quality of life of the Mid-Atlantic region are anticipated to be significantly impacted by climate change and associated sea level rise in coming decades with some impacts already being witnessed in the form of increased air and water temperatures, sea level rise, and ocean acidity. 

This increase is resulting in more sustained extreme storm surges, increased coastal erosion, inundation of coastal wetlands, saline intrusion of coastal aquifers, and upward migration of estuarine salt fronts into formerly freshwater reaches.

Projected sea level rise is also expected to severely impact sensitive coastal landscapes and habitats, impacting wetland, beach, and estuarine regions.

As screenshot from the MARCO portal showing the climatology layer.

Above - MARCO Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal screenshot showing sea surface temperature.