diff --git a/components/mpas-ocean/cime_config/buildnml b/components/mpas-ocean/cime_config/buildnml
index a363c27883a3..00826736a736 100755
--- a/components/mpas-ocean/cime_config/buildnml
+++ b/components/mpas-ocean/cime_config/buildnml
@@ -293,6 +293,10 @@ def buildnml(case, caseroot, compname):
         if ocn_ic_mode == 'spunup':
             ic_date = '20231121'
             ic_prefix = 'mpaso.IcoswISC30E3r5.rstFromG-chrysalis'
+        if ocn_bgc in ['eco_only', 'eco_and_dms', 'eco_and_macromolecules', 'eco_and_dms_and_macromolecules']:
+            ic_date = '20231215'
+            ic_prefix = 'mpaso.IcoswISC30E3r5.20231120+MARBL_ICfromOMIP_64levels'
+            eco_forcing_file = 'ecoForcingSurfaceMonthly.IcoswISC30E3r5.20231215.nc'
         if ocn_ismf == 'data':
             data_ismf_file = 'prescribed_ismf_adusumilli2020.IcoswISC30E3r5.20231120.nc'