Throughout history the Atlantic Ocean has shaped the economy and culture of the region, providing sand for beaches, transportation for goods, food for the table, and a place for rest, refreshment, and recreation. The State of Maryland continues to work toward protecting and enhancing our shared coastal and ocean resources while balancing the need to proactively plan for changing ocean uses and conditions. Global commerce is growing, ports are expanding, and demand is increasing for fish, minerals, sediment, and energy. Every day we are learning more about what is beneath the ocean surface; and every day we are working to anticipate and address the changes we may see in the coming years as the use of ocean space and resources evolves.

Offshore Energy

Maryland is continually working with resource experts, user groups, and a variety of partners to compile data and information about habitats, human uses, and resources in Maryland’s Atlantic Ocean. The Chesapeake and Coastal Service is supporting work that guides decision making about offshore energy through the advancement of environmental collaborations and research, and helping to engage various groups about key steps in the offshore wind process.

More information about offshore wind leasing in the region can be found at:
https://www.boem.gov/Maryland/
https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/central-atlantic

Regional Ocean Planning

Since 2009, Maryland has been engaging with the coastal states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia through the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) to enhance the vitality of the region's ocean ecosystem and economy. Through MARCO, we work in collaboration with partners and stakeholders to improve ocean water quality, collaborate on renewable energy development, protect marine habitats, and adapt to climate change.

The keystone to the successful ocean planning process has been the development of the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal​. The Portal features more than 3,000 publically accessible ocean resource and human use spatial data layers, such as marine life distributions, fishing grounds, recreational areas, shipping lanes, wildlife habitat, and proposed renewable energy sites.