“Massachusetts is at the forefront of state ocean management….The Commonwealth has an opportunity to move forward in managing our own state’s ocean resources in a proactive manner that both protects the underlying marine ecosystem and serves the public needs for food and energy production, shipping, recreation, waste disposal, telecommunications, etc.”

- Waves of Change, Massachusetts Ocean Management Task Force, March 2004

The Oceans Act of 2008 Signed into Law:

On May 28, 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed landmark legislation which was specifically crafted to more effectively manage the vital ocean ecosystems that are so critical to Massachusetts’ maritime heritage and economic viability. The Commonwealth’s first-in-the-nation, statewide comprehensive ocean planning law, mandates the development of an integrated ocean management plan for Massachusetts’ state waters by December 31, 2009.  What makes the “Oceans Act” unique is that it requires a balancing among uses –including offshore renewable energy development, fishing, maritime shipping, recreation, conservation and others–  through consideration of stakeholder needs and scientific principles. 

Governor Patrick speaks about the importance of the Oceans Act bill.

The Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP) was established to support just this sort of process and we have been honored to collaborate with the State and our other Partners on this pioneering undertaking.  As an independent public-private partnership among government, industry, conservation and scientific interests, MOP brings resources and technical assistance to advance stakeholder-informed, science-based integrated ocean management.  MOP was delighted to support the state’s and broader partnership needs through our role as a convener of and credible broker among diverse ocean interests and by improving the integration of sound natural and social science into ocean management planning.

MOP gladly assisted the Commonwealth and our Partners in developing the first statewide integrated ocean management plan, it aims to:

  • integrate management across sectors, ecosystem resources, and agencies;
  • be based on credible scientific principles;
  • reflect public input and gain support of major affected groups;
  • be adaptive to changing conditions; and, ultimately
  • support thriving, sustainable marine industries and healthy ocean ecosystems.

A diverse array of organizations, agencies and associations have already partnered with MOP and, now as we transition into Plan implementation, we look forward to reaching out to additional groups with ocean interests.   If you have any comments, questions, or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Oceans Act of 2008:

Link to the Oceans Act of 2008:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw08/sl080114.htm

Secretary of Energy and Environment Ian Bowles speaks at the Oceans Act announcement.

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