Following strong support at the 2026 Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum, MARCO is launching the Ocean Hazards-Coastal Impacts Network (OHCIN, pronounced “ocean”). Forum participants representing state and federal agencies, Tribal nations, academia, NGOs, and industry identified a need for stronger regional coordination around ocean-rooted hazards–including marine heatwaves, warming ocean temperatures, and increasingly severe coastal storms–and their cascading impacts on coastal communities, ecosystems, and economies. These impacts range from shifting marine species distributions to changing shorelines, working waterfronts, tourism, and coastal infrastructure.
Since the Forum, MARCO has convened the Network’s inaugural Advisory Group meeting, approved its annual work plan, and identified shifting and expanding marine species ranges as its initial focus area.
OHCIN is a MARCO-supported initiative designed to strengthen regional coordination on ocean-rooted hazards and resilience needs affecting Mid-Atlantic communities, ecosystems, infrastructure, and economies. While established coastal resilience networks have made significant progress on onshore challenges, efforts to address climate-driven changes in ocean systems remain more fragmented.
A central goal is to help bridge that gap by connecting disciplines and sectors that often address different aspects of the same challenges independently, helping break down silos between ocean science, marine resources management, resilience efforts, and coastal planning. The Network will serve as a collaborative forum for information exchange, peer learning, identification of shared regional priorities, and development of practical decision-support resources that strengthen coastal planning and management across the Mid-Atlantic.
OHCIN is designed to support flexible participation. Members may engage broadly across Network activities or participate in specific topics and projects that align with their expertise, interests, and organizational priorities.
How to Get Involved
- Attend the Network Launch: Join us virtually on December 10, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, for our inaugural OHCIN All Hands meeting, featuring a discussion of marine species range shifts, emerging science and data, and implications for resource management.
- Complete our participation interest form: Not sure how involved you’d like to be? Join our mailing list now and adjust your level of participation over time as topics and opportunities align with your interests.
- Visit the MARCO OHCIN webpage: Learn more about the Network, its priorities, and upcoming activities.