The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting any personal information that you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through our website, how we use it, and the choices available to you.

1. Information We Collect
We collect limited information to help us operate and improve our website and to communicate effectively with visitors. This may include:
Personal Information: Information you voluntarily provide through forms or subscriptions, such as your name, email address, organization, or other contact details.
Usage Data: Non-identifying data automatically collected when you visit our website, such as your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and the date and time of your visit.
Cookies and Analytics: We may use cookies and third-party analytics tools (such as Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our site and improve functionality. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences.

2. How We Use Your Information
We use collected information only for purposes related to MARCO’s mission and website operations, including to:
Respond to inquiries and provide requested information
Send updates, newsletters, or event information if you have opted in
Improve website usability, content, and accessibility
Maintain website security and integrity
Comply with applicable laws or regulations
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

3. Sharing of Information
We may share information only in the following limited circumstances:
Service Providers: With trusted third-party vendors that assist in website hosting, analytics, or email distribution, solely for purposes of supporting MARCO’s operations.
Legal Compliance: When required to comply with legal obligations or lawful requests from public authorities.
All service providers handling data on our behalf are required to maintain the confidentiality and security of that information.

4. Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. Non-personal data may be stored for analysis and reporting purposes.

5. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no internet transmission or storage method is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Your Choices
You may:
Opt out of receiving emails by following the unsubscribe instructions in our messages
Request to access, correct, or delete your personal information by contacting us at info@midatlanticocean.org
We will respond to such requests in accordance with applicable laws.

7. External Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites. MARCO is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.

8. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed toward children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If such data is inadvertently collected, we will delete it promptly upon discovery.

9. Updates to This Policy
We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the site following changes indicates your acceptance of the updated policy.

10. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO)
Email: info@midatlanticocean.org
Website: https://midatlanticocean.org

Accessibility Statement
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all visitors, including individuals with disabilities. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone and applying the relevant accessibility standards.
We aim to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA, which outline best practices for making web content accessible to a wide range of users.
If you experience any difficulty accessing content on this site, please contact us at info@midatlanticocean.org and include:
The URL or page where you experienced the issue
A description of the problem
Your contact information
We will do our best to address the issue promptly and provide the requested information or service in an accessible format.

Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. While MARCO strives to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date, we make no guarantees about the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content.
Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by MARCO. We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or accessibility of external websites.
Use of the MARCO website and any linked sites is at your own risk. MARCO assumes no responsibility or liability for any damages or losses resulting from the use of this site or the information contained herein.