Moran Coastal and Ocean Resources (MCORI)  is transitioning ShoreZone operations to SeaChange Marine Conservation Society

January 2023

Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC (Moran), announces that it has entered into a strategic agreement with Canadian nonprofit SeaChange Marine Conservation Society (SeaChange) to transfer the operations of ShoreZone, along with the employees of the MCORI ShoreZone team, to SeaChange.

MCORI, based out of Victoria, BC., was acquired by Moran Environmental Recovery, a Moran company, in 2012. MCORI provided marine and coastal geographic information systems, ecological habitat modeling, marine spatial planning, and nearshore oceanography. MCORI also pioneered the ShoreZone coastal imaging and habitat mapping system which has been applied to over 122,000 km of coastline in the Pacific Northwest. ShoreZone data has been used for resource management, habitat and species modelling, oil spill planning and response, environmental assessments, and coastal vulnerability mapping. ShoreZone has become a partnership of people and organizations which includes scientists, GIS specialists, web specialists, nonprofit organizations, and provincial, state, and federal government agencies.

SeaChange is a charitable non-profit organization based in Victoria, BC, that was founded in 1996 by Nikki Wright, Sarah Verstegen and a committed group of local citizens concerned by the changes they could see in the waters of Salish Sea. SeaChange specializes in community-led conservation, restoration and education projects related to nearshore environments, particularly focused on sensitive habitats such as eelgrass beds.

The transfer of ShoreZone from MCORI to SeaChange is an exciting opportunity to expand and enhance management of ShoreZone and ollaborate with the ShoreZone partners, coastal communities, and the general public. The mission of SeaChange aligns with Moran’s core values around marine and environmental stewardship and the move of the MCORI team to SeaChange is a perfect fit in making a positive impact on many important marine and environmental issues. Moran looks forward to seeing what this team and the program can do with this new alliance.