Marine Environmental Protection Alliance (MEPA) is committed to your internet privacy and information security.  We understand the importance of privacy to our visitors using our website (for the purposes of this Privacy Policy, the “Site”).  This Privacy Policy explains the types of information we gather from visitors to the Site and what we do with the information we collect.  By accessing, using, or otherwise interacting with the Site, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy.  IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY, DO NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SITE OR PROVIDE INFORMATION TO US THROUGH THE SITE.

INFORMATION, COLLECTION, USE, AND YOUR RIGHTS

‍We collect personally identifiable information when you provide it to us through your use of the Site, such as when you register with our Site; submit comments, questions or suggestions to our Site; process a business request through the Site; or otherwise interact with the Site in a manner that requires users to provide such information. The types of personally identifiable information we have collected and will continue to collect include identifiers and contact information, such as a person's name, business name, telephone number, and email address.

At times we conduct online surveys to better understand our visitors’ needs. Participation in the surveys is optional. Information gathered is used by MEPA to improve marketing efforts. Data gathered may also be used to send information and promotional material about MEPA and new applications to be launched on the Site. Surveys collect identifiers and contact information, as well as information about your use of the Site that you volunteer.

In addition, our web servers collect internet and other electronic network activity information, including the IP addresses, of visitors. This information is aggregated to measure the number of visits, average time spent on the Site, pages viewed, etc. We use this information to measure the use of our Site and to improve the content of our Site.

All data collected, including personally identifiable information, will only be used for the purpose for which it was provided.

MEPA does not publish, share, trade, sell or otherwise disseminate any of the information or data registered or provided to us through the Site. MEPA may, however, be obligated and are entitled to disclose identifiers, contact information, or internet or other electronic network activity information in compliance with applicable law, court or arbitration orders, judgments, awards or other legal processes served or in compliance with requests by any entitled authority, body or person or to protect the interests, rights, property of MEPA, our users or others. If MEPA or its assets are acquired by another company, that company will possess the identifiers, contact information, or internet or other electronic network activity information collected by us, and it will assume the rights and obligations regarding your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy.

MEPA processes identifiers, contact information, and internet and other electronic network activity information for carefully considered and specific legitimate business purposes, which includes some or all of the following:

• website in the recruiting process to record and route candidate information to appropriate MEPA personnel;
• where the processing enables us to enhance, modify, personalize or otherwise improve our services or communications for the benefit of our visitors;
• to identify and prevent fraud;
• to enhance the security of our network and information systems;
• to better understand how people interact with our websites;
• to provide postal communications which we will think will be of interest to you; and
• to determine the effectiveness of promotional campaigns and advertising.

Whenever MEPA processes data for these purposes, it will keep your personal data rights in mind. You always have a right to object to this processing of your information and may contact MEPA at info@mepalliance.org to notify us as such. Please note, if you object to the processing of your information, it may affect our ability to carry out the tasks above for your benefit.

Cookies

“Cookies” are pieces of information that may be placed on your computer by a web site for the purpose of facilitating and enhancing your communication and interaction with that web site.  Almost all websites use cookies for these purposes.  MEPA may use cookies to identify if users have visited the Site before and what pages they visited.  When used together with email marketing and visitors' relationship management programs, cookies help us identify areas of possible interest for prospective or current visitors and provide insights into how we can improve our web pages. You may stop or restrict the placement of cookies on your computer or flush them from your browser by adjusting your web browser preferences, in which case you may still use our Site, but it may interfere with some of the Site’s functionality.  We do not use cookies to retrieve information from your computer for any purpose other than as set forth in this Privacy Policy.

Links to Other Sites

The Site may contain links to other websites that are not owned or controlled by MEPA. Please be aware that MEPA is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites.  We encourage you to be aware when you leave our Site and to read the privacy policy of each and every website that collects personally identifiable information.  This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by the Site. MEPA is not responsible or liable for the activities of any third-party website or the use of any information that is gathered by third-party website.

Information Security

The security of your personally identifiable information is important to us.  We follow generally accepted industry standards to protect the personally identifiable information submitted to us, both during transmission and once we receive it.  No method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure, however. Therefore, while we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Data Quality / Opt-Out

At any time, you can access and correct your personally identifiable information and privacy preferences, including unsubscribing as a Registered User of the Site by emailing at info@mepalliance.org.  As a Registered User, you may occasionally receive e-mail messages or other marketing material from MEPA.  If you would prefer not to receive these messages, you may opt out by typing the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line of the email and returning it to the sender.  MEPA reserves the right to limit certain services to Registered Users who will not accept e-mail messages.‍‍