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Changes in the Mid-Atlantic

Converting ocean acidification data into insights about the species living in our water.

Species impact

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Marine phytoplankton are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that form the foundation of the ocean's food web and produce over half of Earth's oxygen.

Marine Phytoplankton

Deep-sea corals are cold-water ecosystems that thrive without sunlight, providing vital habitats for diverse marine species.

Deep-Sea Corals

Finfish (any fish with a fin versus a shell) are a diverse group of fish species essential for marine ecosystems and a vital resource for global fisheries and aquaculture.

Finfish

SAV, comprising attached macroalgae and seagrass species, support coastal ecosystems by providing habitat, improving water quality, and buffering against climate change impacts.

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV)

Our crustacean species are ecologically important, and critical to the economy of the Mid-Atlantic.

Crustaceans

Mollusks are a varied group of soft-bodied animals, many of which have hard shells. They are essential to both marine ecosystems and human economies.

Mollusks

Zooplankton are tiny drifting animals that play a critical role in aquatic food webs, linking phytoplankton to larger marine species.

Zooplankton

Ecosystems are highly complex webs of species that mix in space and time, creating intricate relationships that can be difficult or complex to study.

Ecosystems

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Species Impact

Explore changes in the mid-atlantic storymap

Our storymap explains that and so much more.

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Events

Stay informed on the latest research, partnerships, and regional efforts to address ocean and coastal acidification.

News

News & Events

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Browse Webinars

Don't miss out, Explore our on-demand webinars.

The  Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network&#8217;s (MACAN) annual webinar series launches January 26! Join us to learn about the latest research on flounder, forage fish, and acidification in coastal waters from Chris Chambers, a research fishery biologist at NOAA.
In February, we&#8217;ll explore the impacts of ocean acidification and other climate change impacts on shipwrecks, shell middens, and cultural resources with Susan Langley, Maryland&#8217;s State Underwater Archaeologist. March and April webinar topics will be available soon. 
<figure id="attachment_5703" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-5703" style="width: 603px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-5703 size-full" src="https://macancms.3lanemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/rsw_1280-6.webp" alt="" width="603" height="452" srcset="https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/rsw_1280-6.webp 603w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/rsw_1280-6-300x225.webp 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 603px) 100vw, 603px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-5703" class="wp-caption-text">A 150-year-old locomotive wreck off the New Jersey coast (photo by Monmouth University)</figcaption></figure>

Webinars to Explore Acidification Impacts on Fish, Shipwrecks

Join us on April 12 at 1 p.m. for &#8216;U.S. State-Led OA Action Planning in the Mid-Atlantic.&#8217; 
<a class="x-el x-el-a c2-9 c2-a c2-53 c2-c c2-d c2-54 c2-f c2-55 c2-3 c2-3j c2-n c2-10 c2-p" href="https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5804464133441407245" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Click here</a> to register for this free discussion.   
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-5690 size-full" src="https://macancms.3lanemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/rsw_540-16.webp" alt="" width="540" height="712" srcset="https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/rsw_540-16.webp 540w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/rsw_540-16-228x300.webp 228w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px" />

U.S. State-Led OA Action Planning in the Mid-Atlantic

Monday, September 11, 1:00-5:00 PM
Session 1: Assessing Vulnerability in Mid-Atlantic Species, Ecosystems, and Industries
This session will focus on the biological impacts and socioeconomic vulnerability of species, habitats, and the shellfish industry in the Mid-Atlantic. Lessons learned from interviews with growers and fishermen about their adaptation capacity will also be highlighted.
Session 2: New Initiatives in Outreach and Community Engagement
This session will focus on the latest outreach initiatives and available resources from the East Coast CAN’s (coastal acidification networks) and their partners (OAP, The OA Alliance, and the Aquarium Conservation Partnership).
Session 3: Updates on Federal and State OA Initiatives and DEIJA Considerations
This session will provide an overview of national, federal, and state initiatives in monitoring and mitigating COA. There will be an extended time for discussion at the end of this session.
<iframe loading="lazy" title="2023 MACAN Workshop Day 1" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mgcXqVv6cYo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Tuesday, September 12 9:00-2:30 PM
Session 1: Monitoring, Technology, and Data to Inform Management Decisions
This session will highlight some of the latest research, monitoring, and data tools being developed for community scientists, resource managers, and the aquaculture industry.
Session 2: mCDR and Panel Discussion
mCDR is a key component of the national Ocean Climate Action Plan (OCAP). This session will focus on newly funded NOAA projects, governance considerations, and how industry is advancing mCDR monitoring, reporting, and verification methods.
Session 3: Nature-Based Solutions for healthy ecosystems and mCDR:
This session will discuss approaches to mCDR and maintaining healthy ecosystems through restoration or enhancement of shellfish, SAV, and ecologically important habitats.

MACAN Coastal and Ocean Acidification Workshop

MACAN’s biennial state-of-the-science meeting and technical assistance workshop will be hosted in partnership with the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) from July 15-17 at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, in Edgewater, Maryland.
<a href="https://macancms.3lanemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/MACAN_Workshop_5-28-25.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A draft agenda can be viewed here.</a>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-5268 alignright" src="https://macancms.3lanemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1752850971770-300x200.png" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1752850971770-300x200.png 300w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1752850971770-1024x682.png 1024w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1752850971770-768x512.png 768w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1752850971770.png 1310w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Workshop goals include:
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Improve/support regional collaboration on standards of practice/validation methods for various types of instruments and coastal and estuarine waters</li>
<li>Build capacity to fill spatio-temporal gaps in coastal acidification monitoring, by connecting people and resources to set up effective monitoring, while leveraging existing programs/sensors</li>
<li>Build capacity for mCDR readiness (monitoring, research, and validation)</li>
<li>Strengthen connections and collaborations across regional CANs</li>
</ul>
The event is free to attend. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOhkkwkc_8nESz_36Y9TdFZQz4PPQgIoNluJAak-SfgKPjTg/closedform" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Registration</a> is required. Questions can be directed to Kirstin Wakefield at <a href="mailto:kirstin@maracoos.org">kirstin@maracoos.org</a>.
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Who should attend?
State, Federal, and Tribal agencies and resource managers, water quality analysts, acidification researchers and modelers, mCDR industry members, blue carbon practitioners, aquaculture and fishery industry members.
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Hotel Room Blocks
The following hotel options are available at a discounted conference rate.
Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis
Cost: $109 per night
Last Day to Book: Saturday, June 14, 2025
<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=BWIANGI&amp;arrivalDate=2025-07-18&amp;departureDate=2025-07-20&amp;groupCode=MARC&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLICK HERE</a> for reservations and more information.
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SpringHill Suites Annapolis
Cost: $161 per night
Last Day to Book: Saturday, June 14, 2025
<a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1741119693367&amp;key=GRP&amp;guestreslink2=true&amp;app=resvlink" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CLICK HERE</a> for reservations and more information

MACAN State of the Science and Technical Training Workshop

State of Coastal and Ocean Acidification in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-5777 alignleft" src="https://macancms.3lanemarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Grace-Saba1-300x300.webp" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Grace-Saba1-300x300.webp 300w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Grace-Saba1-1024x1024.webp 1024w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Grace-Saba1-150x150.webp 150w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Grace-Saba1-768x768.webp 768w, https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Grace-Saba1.webp 1120w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
Coastal and ocean acidification have significant scientific and societal ramifications including the alteration of ocean biogeochemistry, ecological consequences associated with altered ecosystems, and economic losses due to the decreased survival of commercially important organisms. Guest speaker Dr. Grace Saba, Assistant Professor in the Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Center for Ocean Observing Leadership at Rutgers University will cover what we know and do not yet know about acidification in the Mid-Atlantic. We will examine recommendations from the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN) to enhance regional acidification monitoring and improve understanding of potential ecological impacts.
Free and open to the public

UCI Marine and Environmental Luncheon Speaker Series

Jennifer Porcheddu is a dedicated marine and environmental science teacher in New York City. She is passionate about fostering a deeper understanding of our planet&#8217;s delicate ecosystems, and inspiring students to be hopeful and take action for the Earth. Jennifer is particularly excited to help develop ocean and coastal acidification curricula through MACAN; with a personal connection to Jamaica Bay, she is particularly committed to coastal health. Her teaching and curriculum development is informed by previous research experience in salt marsh ecology and citizen science projects, and she looks forward to sharing MACAN&#8217;s coastal acidification curriculum.
The Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Curriculum was developed in partnership with the <a href="https://www.vims.edu/cbnerr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (CBNERR-VA)</a> in 2021. Through MACAN&#8217;s education fellowship and with mentorship from <a href="/">MACAN</a> and the <a href="https://www.vims.edu/cbnerr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBNERR</a>, Jennifer updated all five curriculum modules to meet Next Generation Science Standards and outlined options for differentiation and assessment. She incorporated teacher feedback from recent Teachers on the Estuary (TOTES) workshops and professional development workshops hosted by the <a href="https://dec.ny.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Department of Environmental Conservation</a>, and created a new lesson focused on data discovery and the biological impacts of ocean acidification on bay scallops. As part of this webinar, you will get to experience this new interactive lesson plan. Jennifer presented this updated curriculum to high school teachers and informal science educators at the <a href="https://www.marine-ed.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Marine Educators Association</a> conference this past summer, and she is excited to now share her work with you!

Coastal Acidification in the Classroom: NGSS-aligned curriculum for high school students and teachers

Until then, you can browse our Past Events or discover our collection of insightful <a href="/webinars">Webinars</a>.

Check Back Soon for Upcoming Events

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View Macan's 2024-2028 Work plan

If you are interested in learning more about MACAN and the work we do, please sign up for our <a href="/subscribe/">monthly newsletter</a>. You can also read our <a href="https://cms.midacan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/MACAN-5-Year-Workplan-2024-2028.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2024 to 2028 Work Plan</a>.

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About Us

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MACAN’s committed to understanding, predicting, and mitigating the impact of acidification on our oceans and coastal ecosystems.

A collaborative team committed to addressing the pressing environmental issue of coastal acidification in our region.

What is Acidification

Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide drives ocean acidification, lowering pH.

Diverse monitoring addresses complex coastal and estuarine acidification drivers.

Factors such as geography, climate, and human activities vary across different regions, impacting the extent and rate of ocean acidification.

Ocean acidification is driven by excess global carbon dioxide and water pollution from land runoff, and there are ways communities can help.

Converting ocean acidification data into insights about the species living in our water.

Microscopic marine plants that form the base of ocean food webs.

Blue crabs are crucial to Mid-Atlantic ecology and economy.

Gorgonian sea fans and bamboo corals create vital deep-sea habitats.

A diverse group of animals vital to fisheries.

Mid-Atlantic finfish are essential to marine ecosystems and economies alike.

Vital food web organisms with varying responses.

SAV, including eelgrass, provide vital coastal habitat.

Highly complex webs of species that mix in space and time.

Webinars

OA Policy and mCDR

Ocean acidification action planning is states coordinating efforts to monitor, mitigate, and build resilience against acidification threats.

Marine carbon dioxide removal (mCDR) is a technique being investigated to mitigate climate change.

Resources

A wealth of informational resources on estuarine, coastal, and ocean acidification in the Mid-Atlantic.

References on estuarine, coastal, and ocean acidification in the Mid-Atlantic.

Explore our full collection of resources

Explore concise fact sheets and publications for key insights and actionable information.

Access and utilize data resources for in-depth analysis and informed decision-making.

Discover tools and materials designed to support educators in teaching and inspiring students.

Review detailed workshop reports for insights, outcomes, and actionable recommendations.

Visualize key information and data through engaging and easy-to-understand infographics.

News & Events

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