Mid-A OPC Updates
A digest of news links and informational resources compiled quarterly by Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee members.
(Updated June 2025)
Upcoming Dates & Events
June 24: How Tuesday Webinar: Intro to the MARCO Portal
July 15-17: MACAN State of the Science and Technical Training Workshop, Annapolis
Agency News
MAFMC: Mid-Atlantic Council Invites Public Input in Response to Executive Order 14276,
“Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” 6/17/25
White House: National Ocean Month proclamation, 6/6/25
White House: Executive Order: Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, 4/17/25
Coast Guard District 1: D1 Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative, 4/7/25
General FYI
DNREC: Voices of the Tide: Stories of Connection with the Ocean
USDOT/MARAD: Two Layberth Solicitations are available for hosting MARAD vessels.
For both, the bids are due July 14, 2025. If you have questions, contact Henry.Puppe@dot.gov, and copy Amanda.Rutherford@dot.gov.
The requirements for the berthing space are outlined in each solicitation:
- Philadelphia area only: The solicitation notice for layberth of one ship in the vicinity of Philadelphia, PA is now posted in sam.gov. LINK.
- East Coast area: The solicitation for layberth of two crane ships (Cornhusker State and Gopher State) on the East Coast is now posted. LINK.
Regarding USDOT grants – please reach out to Amanda.Rutherford@dot.gov if you want information on the following two
grant opportunities that are open right now.
- United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP), $15M Due July 15
- Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), $500M Due Sept 10
MACAN: View Webinar on Mid-A Seagrass Restoration, Blue Carbon Potential, 6/16/25
MARCO: Watch: ‘How Microplastics Impact Marine Species and Habitats,’ 6/10/25
MARCO Portal: Comment on Coast Guard D-1 Proposed Changes to Aids to Navigation by June 13, 6/1/25
MARCO Portal: NOAA BlueTopo Bathymetry Data Now in Habitat Theme, 5/27/25
MARCO Portal: Zooplankton Products from NOAA Fisheries EcoMon Surveys, 5/21/25
MARCO Portal: New Maps Depict Probability of Six Substrate Types Along Seafloor, 5/1/25
MARCO Portal: Download the Portal Mobile App for iOS and Android, 3/17/25