“The Commonwealth’s marine fisheries agency recognizes that concepts for managing traditional and often parochial use of ocean resources by coastal fisheries should be expanded to sustain demand on environmental capacity. This requires significant appreciation for ecosystem-based integrated multi-use management of our oceans.”

- Paul Diodati, Director, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries

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