May 28, 2008
Media Contacts:
Priscilla Brooks, Conservation Law Foundation, 617-850-1737
Jack Clarke, MassAudubon 617-523-8448 x2551
Colin Durrant, Conservation Law Foundation 617-850-1722
Tom McCann, Ocean Conservancy 202-351-0465
Boston, MA - Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick today signed into law a landmark ocean management act to balance commercial and recreational use with wildlife protection. The new law will lead to a first-in-the-nation ocean management plan to guide all development activity, including renewable energy, in state ocean waters.
The Mass Ocean Campaign, a coalition of over fifty local, regional and national environmental and civic groups that helped write the new law applauded Governor Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Sal DiMasi for their leadership in creating a national model for ocean governance. The Mass Ocean Campaign was led by the Conservation Law Foundation, Massachusetts Audubon Society and Ocean Conservancy.
The new ocean management plan, which must be completed by Dec. 31, 2009, will 
be developed by a 17-member ocean management commission, including state agency representatives, state legislators, municipal officials, and environmental, fishing, and marine industry stakeholders. A science advisory board will also work on the plan’s creation. Under the new law, the Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs will retain all authority for managing and coordinating ocean activity under the management plan.
The bill was the result of three years of negotiation and collaboration between the lead Senate sponsors (Senate President Therese Murray, Senator Robert O’Leary and Senator Bruce Tarr), environmental groups, fishing organizations and other ocean users.
© 2008 Massachusetts Ocean Action Coalition
Conservation Law Foundation | Mass Audubon