Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum

The Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean (MACO) convened its fifth annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum on May 17 and 18 at the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in New York City. The event featured 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 also highlighted the work of students and early career professionals.

Forum Goal:

Collaborative planning in the Mid-Atlantic to support a healthy ocean and an equitable, sustainable ocean economy.

Objectives:

• Identify regional ocean challenges and how climate pressures are impacting ocean ecosystems and economies;
• Review regional efforts to advance a sustainable ocean economy and healthy ocean ecosystem;
• Engage diverse ocean stakeholders to identify issues and opportunites that would benefit from MACO regional coordination and collaboration.

Forum Facilitator: Tony MacDonald, Director, Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI)

View Summary Report

Day 1 – May 17, 2023

Welcome

Michael Snyder, Ocean and Great Lakes Program Manager, New York State Department of State / Chair, Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean

Oceans and Climate Change: Advancing Mitigation, Resilience and Equity

Discussion Leader: Kristi Lieske, Ocean Planner, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

State and Federal Ocean Climate Action Priorities (OCAP)

• Kisha Santiago, Deputy Secretary of State, New York Department of State

 Equity, Social Science, and Blue Ocean Economy Perspectives

• Miranda Bernard, Postdoctoral Associate, Duke University Division of Marine Science and Conservation
• Sarah Colasurdo, Climate Resilience Specialist, Port Authority of NY & NJ
• Paul Phifer, Permitting and Development Dir., Attentive Energy Renewables

View Mentimeter questions and responses.

Tribal Data and Geotools

Discussion Leader: Tony MacDonald, Director, Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute (UCI)

Panelists:

• Karl Vilacoba, Communications Director, Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute / Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal Project Manager-View Slides
• Deborah Kirk, Eastern Region Geospatial Coordinator, Bureau of Indian Affairs- View Slides
• Ryan Hodges, Senior Software Developer, Ecotrust- View Slides
• Carson Viles, Tribal Network Strategist, Ecotrust, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
• Kelsey Leonard, Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean Steering Committee, Shinnecock Indian Nation

Federal & State Perspectives on Offshore Wind Transmission Planning

Discussion Leader: Wright Frank, Renewable Energy Policy Chief, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)

Federal and State Perspectives

• Jian Fu, Program Lead, Department of Energy (DOE) Systems Integration Wind Energy Technologies Office- View Slides
• Josh Gange, Renewable Energy Program Specialist, BOEM- View Slides
• Kira Lawrence, Senior Scientist, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) Clean Energy Division- View Slides

Offshore Wind Transmission – Community Benefit Agreements

• Laura Smith Morton, Partner, Perkins Coie LLP- View Slides
• Jennifer Garvey, Head of New York Market Strategy, Ørsted- View Slides

Offshore Wind Transmission Planning Session Wrap Up

• Nick Napoli, MARCO Senior Advisor, Northeast Regional Ocean Council Executive Director

View Mentimeter question and responses.

Day 1 –  Wrap Up

Tony MacDonald, Director, UCI

Day 2 – May 18, 2023

Welcome

Tricia Hooper, Regional Coastal Management Specialist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Coastal Management

Avalon Bristow, Executive Director, MARCO

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Allyship in Action

Introductory Presentation: Allyship in Action

• Christie Mazzeo-Pfoertner, Oceans and Great Lakes Technical Specialist, New York State Department of State (NYSDOS)
• Nicole Jean Christian, Empire State Fellow, NYSDOS
• Elizabeth Mogus Garcia, NOAA Coastal Management Fellow

View Slides

View DEI: Allyship in Action Resources

(See flyer for more details)

Breakout Exercises

• In-person and virtual facilitators: NYSDOS DEIJA Working Group
• Facilitators: Chelsea DeJesus, Elizabeth Mogus Garcia, Isabella Betancourt, Jordan Koster, Samantha Aldrich, Daniel Lapin, Jea Frasier, Jeannette Rausch, Mathew Maraglio

Breakout Exercise Summaries and Closing Presentation

Mid-Atlantic Ocean Wildlife: Charting a Course for Biodiversity Conservation

Discussion Leaders:

• Laura McKay, Program Manager, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program
• Kevin Hassell, Environmental Specialist, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

Overview of Ocean Wildlife Concerns: New Approaches

• Pat Halpin, Co-Chair, Coastal Environmental Management Program, Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment- View Slides

Available Ocean Data & Needs: What Do You Need to Make Decisions?

• Jay Odell, Fisheries and Ocean Conservation Fellow, Monmouth University, Urban Coast Institute- View Slides
• Emily Shumchenia, Director Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind- View Slides
• Susan Barco, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources- View Slides

Current Conservation Measures & Needs: What’s Missing?

• Jessica Coakley, Fishery Management Specialist, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council- View Slides
• Sean Hayes, Protected Species Branch Chief, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center- View Slides

View Mentimeter questions and responses.

Poster Session

Featuring research presentations from students and early career professionals. Presentation videos are now available on Poster Session page.

Planning for Sustainable Ocean Economies

Discussion Leader: Michael Snyder, Ocean and Great Lakes Program Manager, NYSDOS / Chair, Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean

National Perspective

Deerin Babb-Brott

State Perspective

Kristi Lieske, Ocean Planner, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

Regional Perspective

Amy Trice, Senior Program Director, Northeast Regional Ocean Council

Urban Ocean and Ocean Justice Perspective

Alexandra Carter, Policy Director, Urban Ocean Lab

Closing Remarks

Tony MacDonald, Director, UCI