Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO)

What Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) does

MARCO is a non-profit Regional Ocean Partnership established in 2009 by the governors of five Mid-Atlantic states — Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York — to coordinate regional ocean planning across jurisdictional boundaries. It is Congressionally-authorized and serves as the convening body between the five member states, multiple federal agencies (including NOAA, BOEM, USACE, EPA, USFWS, and the Navy/Marine Corps), federally recognized tribes, marine industries, and academic researchers.

Its core technology is the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal, an interactive web-based mapping platform aggregating more than 5,000 data layers covering ocean uses, habitats, infrastructure, and human activity for the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast. In 2025 MARCO extended this platform with the MARCO Portal Mobile App for mobile access and launched MARCO MyCoast, a community-science app that opens a citizen-reporting channel for shoreline and coastal-hazard observations. The organization also runs an annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum and convenes standing work groups on Marine Debris, Ocean Acidification (via MACAN), and Offshore Wind/Marine Debris Tracking (OMDT), with a newly established Tribal Caucus coordinating with the Shinnecock Indian Nation.

MARCO operates a non-commercial business model: all data, tools, forums, and work-group outputs are provided free of charge. Funding is drawn from federal appropriations tied to legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Investment and Infrastructure Jobs Act, contributions from the five member states, and philanthropic grants including support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for the annual Forum. The organization is small (1–10 employees), headquartered in Washington, DC, and has adopted a five-year work plan covering 2026–2030 to guide program priorities in ocean planning, data infrastructure, and climate-coastal resilience.

Name

Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO)

Legal name

Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean

Website

https://midatlanticocean.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

MARCO is a Congressionally-authorized Regional Ocean Partnership coordinating ocean planning across five Mid-Atlantic states (VA, MD, DE, NJ, NY) and federal agencies. It serves states, tribes, and marine stakeholders via its 5,000+-layer Data Portal, annual forums, and work groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Ocean Planning Coordination

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services (541370)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI), Offshore Wind & Marine Spatial Planning Regulation (EUAMANAM)

Keywords

• Regional ocean planning
• Ocean data portal
• Coastal management coordination
• Marine debris prevention
• Community science reporting

Headquarters

HQ city

Annapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants and Appropriations: MARCO receives federal funding through congressional appropriations as one of four Congressionally-authorized Regional Ocean Partnerships, including support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Investment and Infrastructure Jobs Act.
2. State Contributions: MARCO was established by the governors of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York, with ongoing financial and administrative contributions from member states.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

MARCO coordinates regional ocean planning across five Mid-Atlantic states (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York) by operating the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal — an interactive mapping platform with 5,000+ geospatial map layers — alongside community science mobile apps (MARCO Portal Mobile App and MARCO MyCoast), annual forums, marine debris summits, and specialized work groups. The organization does not sell products; it provides coordination, data infrastructure, and convening services free of charge to federal/state agencies, tribal governments, marine industries, academia, NGOs, and the public.

Product overview

MARCO operates as a Regional Ocean Partnership offering a suite of interconnected products and services centered on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal—a comprehensive interactive mapping and visualization platform. The core offering includes the Data Portal (with over 5,000 map layers), the MARCO Portal Mobile App (iOS/Android), and MARCO MyCoast for community science reporting. Supporting offerings include the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum (annual event), Mid-A OPC committee coordination, and specialized work groups such as MACAN (Ocean Acidification), Marine Debris Work Group, and Ocean Mapping and Data Team. These products collectively support sustainable ocean planning, conservation, and regional collaboration across five Mid-Atlantic states.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal: A platform serving as a resource center, marine planner, and interactive mapping tool for ocean planning stakeholders in the Mid-Atlantic region.
• MARCO Portal Mobile App

Products and services

• Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal Interactive mapping and visualization platform serving as a central hub for ocean planning data, featuring over 5,000 map layers including fishing grounds, recreation areas, habitat data, and human use information. Accessible to public agencies, marine industries, community leaders, and the general public.
• MARCO Portal Mobile App Native mobile application (iOS and Android) that provides mobile access to the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal's mapping capabilities, allowing users to visualize and analyze ocean resources, search data layers, view map visualizations, and select favorites.
• MARCO MyCoast Regional community science platform for voluntary reporting of recreational activities, beach conditions, and coastal changes to inform planning, cleanup efforts, recreation management, and economic analysis.
• Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum Annual forum bringing together ocean professionals, policymakers, scientists, tribal partners, and stakeholders to advance sustainable ocean planning, conservation, and regional collaboration across the Mid-Atlantic.
• Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN) Network of scientists, federal and state agency representatives, tribal partners, resource managers, and industry stakeholders working to understand and address estuarine, coastal, and ocean acidification through collaborative monitoring, research, and adaptation strategies.
• Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Work Group Collaborative work group focused on reduction and prevention of marine debris including balloons, plastics, and derelict fishing gear that threaten marine life and coastal ecosystems.
• Mid-Atlantic Marine Debris Summit Biennial summit bringing together policymakers, researchers, businesses, and the public to explore marine debris trends, science, technology, and prevention initiatives.
• Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee (Mid-A OPC) Committee fostering collaboration among Mid-Atlantic states, federal agencies, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and federally recognized tribes to address regional ocean priorities and enhance ocean management capacity.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 5,000 map layers accessible on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal for public and agency use
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Mid-Atlantic Ocean Planning Committee (Mid-A OPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mid-A OPC is a committee established by MARCO to foster collaboration among Mid-Atlantic states, federal agencies, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and federally recognized tribes. It convenes the annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum and guides the OPC Work Plan 2026–2030. The committee has a governance framework and is a central pillar of MARCO's regional ocean planning mission.
• Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data PortalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Data Portal is a shared data infrastructure platform maintained by MARCO in collaboration with Monmouth University's Urban Coast Institute, hosting over 5,000 map layers for ocean planning, marine life, habitat, fishing, recreation, and agency actions. It serves as the region's central interactive mapping tool for all stakeholder groups.
• Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMACAN is a network of scientists, tribal, federal, and state agency representatives, resource managers, and industry partners co-coordinated by MARCO to understand and address estuarine, coastal, and ocean acidification impacts. MACAN conducts monitoring, research, and adaptation planning and has published research and monitoring needs assessments.
• Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative (RWSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRWSC collaborates with MARCO and MACO to develop data governance frameworks for fish and wildlife data, implement improvements in data sharing, and address offshore wind environmental impacts. RWSC contributes habitat and ecosystem expertise to the annual Forum.
• Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerROSA works with MARCO on defining data flows for fisheries data governance, improving offshore wind environmental monitoring, and supporting sustainable development of offshore wind along the U.S. East Coast. Contributes fisheries data expertise to the Data Portal.
• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAFMC is a key federal partner on the Mid-A OPC, contributing fisheries management expertise to regional ocean planning discussions. Representatives participate in Forum panels and working groups on marine life, habitat, and sustainable ocean economies.
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA is a principal federal partner providing ocean data, coastal management expertise, marine habitat science, and fisheries monitoring. NOAA staff participate on the Mid-A OPC, Forum panels, and MACAN. The NOAA Office for Coastal Management supports regional data governance.
• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBOEM is a key federal partner in the Mid-A OPC, contributing offshore wind siting, marine minerals management, and environmental review expertise. BOEM participates in Forum sessions on renewable energy, sand resources, and ocean planning coordination.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPA co-leads the Marine Debris Work Group with MARCO, contributing to the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Ocean Action Plan. EPA programs including Trash Free Waters and the Office of Coastal Management support regional marine debris prevention and reduction efforts.
• Monmouth University Urban Coast InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Urban Coast Institute at Monmouth University serves as the project manager for the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal, provides forum facilitation for the annual Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum, and contributes geospatial expertise, communications support, and student engagement (including the annual poster session).
• Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMARACOOS is a regional ocean observing partner contributing water level monitoring, autonomous glider missions (ECO-Gliders), and oceanographic data to inform offshore wind development and regional planning. Works with MARCO on data sharing and the Data Portal.
• Regional States (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMARCO was established by the governors of these five states to serve as their collective voice on ocean ecosystem and economy priorities. State agencies contribute staff leadership, funding, and coordination to MARCO's work groups, Forum programming, and the Data Portal. Examples include Virginia CZM, NJDEP, DE DNREC, NY DOS, and MD DNR.
• Shinnecock Indian Nation and Other Federally Recognized TribescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMARCO is committed to engaging federally recognized tribal governments as equal partners in ocean planning. The Tribal Caucus, established under the Mid-A OPC, provides a dedicated forum for tribal engagement based on four core commitments: tribal sovereignty, tribal relationships, tribal priorities, and equitable partnerships. Tribal representatives hold co-chair positions on the Mid-A OPC.
• Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNROC collaborates with MARCO on offshore wind regional coordination, data sharing, and federal engagement. NROC's Executive Director also serves as MARCO Senior Advisor, linking the two regional ocean partnerships.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA): Nonprofit focused on offshore wind environmental monitoring and fisheries data governance in the U.S. East Coast; close MARCO partner with overlapping marine planning mission.
• Monmouth University Urban Coast Institute: Academic partner hosting the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal and providing forum facilitation; comparable in its regional ocean planning and geospatial expertise role.
• Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative (RWSC): Collaborative body working with MARCO and MACO on wildlife data governance and offshore wind impact assessment in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Direct peers

• Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC): Sister Regional Ocean Partnership covering the U.S. Northeast; NROC's Executive Director also serves as MARCO Senior Advisor, indicating deep operational overlap in regional ocean planning.
• West Coast Ocean Alliance: Pacific coast Regional Ocean Partnership with the same Congressionally-authorized model as MARCO, coordinating ocean planning across West Coast states.
• Gulf of Mexico Alliance: One of the four Congressionally-authorized Regional Ocean Partnerships, coordinating state-level ocean and coastal priorities across Gulf of Mexico states — structurally identical to MARCO.
• Caribbean Regional Ocean Planning Body: Fourth Congressionally-authorized ROP, focused on U.S. Caribbean ocean planning with the same federal mandate and multi-jurisdictional coordination model as MARCO.

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: Large national nonprofit working on ocean policy, marine debris, and coastal resilience — adjacent to MARCO's mission and likely to partner on regional initiatives.
• NOAA Office for Coastal Management: Federal agency that provides data, frameworks, and funding underpinning all ROPs including MARCO; serves as both partner and broader incumbent in coastal resource administration.

Regional players

• Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC): Regional federal body managing fisheries in Mid-Atlantic waters; a core MARCO partner on the Mid-A OPC and a comparable regional governance entity for ocean resource management.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/midatlanticocean
• Instagraminstagram.com/midatlanticocean
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mid-atlantic-regional-council-on-the-ocean-marco-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO)