Videos of presentations and panel talks from the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum are now available for viewing online. Now in its seventh year, the Forum is the region’s premier annual event dedicated to ocean planning, gathering ocean professionals and stakeholders representing federal and state agencies, Tribal entities, marine industries, nonprofit research and advocacy organizations, and the public.
This year’s Forum was convened by the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee (Mid-A OPC) from May 6-7 in Baltimore.
Click here to view an agenda and speaker bios.
The Forum kicked off on May 6 with three discussion-based sessions focused on the work of Mid-A OPC work groups. An initial two-part Maritime Commerce and Navigation Safety session assembled industry stakeholders to explore what data, tools, and coordination will be needed in the future to support safe, efficient navigation in a changing seascape. It was followed by a roundtable discussion on regional data and information needs related to coastal hazards mitigation and resilience in the Mid-Atlantic.
The day concluded with an interactive discussion on spatial data needs and gaps related to seafloor sediments and habitats off the Mid-Atlantic coast. Input gathered from Forum participants is now helping guide efforts by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) to improve understanding of available baseline data resources and develop products for the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal that can support ocean planning.