What does MACOORA do?

The purpose of MACOORA is to coordinate and facilitate the provision of data, information and products on marine and estuarine systems to the general public.

MACOORA does the following:

– Represents the interests of those that use, depend on, study and manage coastal environments and their resources in the Mid-Atlantic region to the national association of regional associations and the relevant Federal managers;

– Makes grants and contributions and otherwise renders financial assistance to any organization organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code that engages in ocean observing efforts or other activities which further the purposes of the Association;

– Represents a partnership or consortium of marine and estuarine data providers and users from state and federal agencies, private industry, non-governmental institutions and academia;

– Provides a means by which the public at large benefits from and contributes to the development and sustained operation of an integrated ocean observing system for the open ocean (to the continental shelf) and regional estuaries and watersheds;

– Ensures continued and routine compilation and distribution of marine and estuarine data, information, and products;

– Assures regional integration with the federal backbone of ocean observing systems;

– Uses new technologies and adapting all of the foregoing to accommodate the changing needs of users of marine and estuarine information.

Now, what is Coastal Ocean Observing, and
why is it important to me?

Coastal Ocean Observing refers to systems that provide real-time, continuous information to a variety of users to improve:

– the efficiency and safety of marine operations;

– national and homeland security;

– predictions of natural hazards and their effects;

– predictions of climate change;

– public health;

– protection and restoration of healthy ecosystems;

– and the sustainability of living resources.

Who can benefit from MACOORA’s products and services?

MACOORA users include:

– Commercial shippers, mariners and fishermen making everyday decisions that impact their safety and livelihood;

– Search and rescue operators and homeland security professionals;

– Scientists studying climate, meteorology, biology, chemistry, geology, and physical oceanography of the coastal ocean waters and estuaries;

– Recreational boaters and beachgoers;

– Managers seeking to sustain fisheries and other marine resources in the future;

– Educators looking for real-life examples that convey the complex, ever-changing nature of ocean science.

To learn more about National Ocean Observing efforts and the efforts of other Regional Associations like MACOORA, go to the National Federation of Regional Associations for Ocean Observing (NFRA) web site at http://www.usnfra.org/.