“Grounded in solid natural and social
science and driven
by a full and diverse
spectrum of stakeholders, we trust that MOP will uniquely serve as a credible
broker among users competing for access
to, use or conservation
of our finite coastal resources. In the end, MOP and the reasoned, deliberate debate and
decision making it fosters, has great
potential to relieve the regulatory burden
on small water‐dependent businesses
while simultaneously fostering increased marine environmental stewardship.”

- Leona Roach, Principal, Marine Consulting Services

The overarching goal of MOP’s Science Program is to develop and improve the natural and social scientific understanding necessary to do effective integrated multi-use ocean management, and advance the integration of that science into management decision-making processes.  The Science Program has five primary objectives designed to reach this goal:

1. Facilitate development of planning framework options for applied integrated multi-use ocean management in Massachusetts;
2. Catalyze and coordinate development of scenario analyses, models and other tools to support integrated multi-use ocean management planning and decision-making;
3. Improve integration, interoperability and information management of ocean data, research and monitoring;
4. Support development of and communication about indicators of the ocean’s capacity to provide ecosystem services for non-scientific audiences; and
5. Support enhanced coordination among the science, management and policy communities.

Through partnerships and collaborations with universities, marine institutions and leading consulting firms, the MOP Science Program developed numerous products that were utilized in the development of the Draft Massachusetts’ Ocean Management Plan.  The Science Program has also begun to develop initial products for several longer term initiatives that will advance the scientific capacity for Ecosystem Based Management.  These products and related information are organized around four primary program areas:

• Planning Framework,
• Integrated Data Network,
• Ecosystem and Economic Modeling, and
• Indicators.

Planning Frameworks

Objective: Support the development of potential planning frameworks and associated planning resources for integrated muti-use ocean planning in MA. 

	Planning Framework Options for the Massachusetts Ocean Plan (PDF) (441 KB)
	Compatibility Determination: Considerations for Siting Coastal and Ocean Uses (PDF) (383 KB)
	A Review of Ocean Management and Integrated Resource Management Programs from Around the World (PDF) (3.92 MB)

Integrated Data Network

Objective: Coordinate the development of an integrated, dynamic statewide ocean data network, and establish an ongoing process for developing and updating research priorities and monitoring programs for Massachusetts’ coastal oceans.

An Integrated Statewide Ocean Data Network: Providing Data Analysis Necessary for Integrated Multi‐use Ocean Management in Massachusetts (PDF)(4.69 MB)

Ecosystem and Economic Modeling

Objective: Catalyze and coordinate development of scenario analyses, ecosystem/economic models and other tools; conduct economic valuation studies; and, advance adaptive management practices in Massachusetts’ ocean planning.

	Science Tools to Implement Ecosystem Based Management in Massachusetts (PDF) (1.66 MB)
	Developing a Framework for Compensatory Mitigation Associated with Ocean Use Impacts on Commercial Fisheries (PDF) (222 KB)
	Characterization of Community‐Specific Spatial and Socio‐Economic Linkages to Massachusetts Waters (PDF) (6.32 MB)

Indicators

Objective: Coordinate efforts to establish indicators of the ocean’s capacity to provide ecosystem services and develop communication tools for reporting conditions to interested sectors and the public.

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