“Determining
appropriate and sustainable uses of the Commonwealth’s coastal and ocean resources is an important priority for Governor Patrick. I commend the Gordon
and Betty Moore
Foundation for funding
a public/private
partnership to work on this important
topic. I look forward to a fruitful partnership
with the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership.”


- Ian Bowles, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

All ocean uses will potentially be affected by the final ocean-management plan.  The ultimate purpose of the planning process is to determine where specific ocean uses will be permitted (utilizing public comment, stakeholder input and credible scientific information).  Some uses can overlap and potentially be accommodated in the same geographic area (for example: recreational fishing, marine transportation and commercial fishing can potentially occur in the same area) while other uses may require exclusive access to certain locations at specific times of the year (for example: endangered right whale foraging habitat).

Some ocean uses potentially affected:

Marine Transportation/Shipping Recreational Boating Sand and Gravel Mining Marine Sanctuaries Commercial Fishing Aquaculture Operations Recreational Fishing Renewable Energy Utilities (wind, wave, tidal energy) Storm Damage Protection Whale Watching/Tourism Scientific Research Operations Liquefied Natural Gas Terminals Harbor/Port Development Desalinization Plants Gas Pipelines Maritime Related Trades Ecosystem Services including: climate moderation, carbon dioxide absorption, oxygen production and other human life supporting processes

renewable energy recreational fishing aquaculture whale watching tourism

 

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