Mid-Atlantic states present ocean data products

Over 100 individuals representing the local fishing sector, municipalities, universities, industry and environmental groups, and the public attended a forum to learn about the data and how it will be immediately used.

"Let's focus on this information first, let's get it right, let's take our time with that." stated Secretary David Small of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, who addressed the forum, "If we can coalesce around a fundamentally strong body of information, we can use that data to make strong management decisions together as a region."

Leading ocean scientists and data managers received funding from MARCO to develop these analytical data products in support of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (MidA RPB). The body is charged with developing a regional Ocean Action Plan, due later this year. The forum provided an opportunity for the public -- including key ocean use stakeholders -- to familiarize themselves with the underlying data, analyses and caveats involved with the data products.

"There was a treasure trove of scientific data out there that agencies and universities had been collecting for decades. It's just never been pulled into a single place before. Synthesizing much of this information for MARCO's Ocean Data Portal will help us see where Mid-Atlantic ocean resources are located, human uses are occurring and where we may need to focus our management attention to ensure a healthy and secure ocean ecosystem and economy," said Laura McKay, Program Manager for the Commonwealth of Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Program and MARCO Management Board Chair.

The products presented at the forum include: a synthesis of data related to marine animal distribution; a human use data synthesis depicting the locations of various human activities in the ocean; and a regional ocean assessment that characterizes the uses, resources and features of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean.

"This is the best ocean science available for the Mid-Atlantic," said Sarah W. Cooksey, Environmental Program Administrator for the State of Delaware's Coastal Programs, who also sits on MARCO's Management Board. "It just needed to be brought together in one place, and MARCO wanted the public -- including key ocean users -- to have a chance to talk with the data team before considering for inclusion in our Ocean Action Plan. That's what happened here today."

A draft of the Mid-Atlantic's Ocean Action Plan is expected to be released by the Mid-A RPB for public review later in 2016.