MASSACHUSETTS OCEAN AWARENESS DAY
AT THE STATE HOUSE
~ A day to celebrate
the history of Massachusetts' ocean and recent efforts
to preserve that legacy ~
November 2007
The ocean is the economic
backbone of our coastal communities and a critical part
of our quality of life. The Bay State's coastline and
state ocean waters support 152,000 jobs, generate $4.3
billion in income each year for the Commonwealth, and
provide countless recreational opportunities. But our
ocean is in trouble. In fact, when the Red Sox won the
World Series, the State Senate designated Dirty Water
by the Standells as the official victory song. While
this may be a great song to cheer on our beloved Sox,
it's a terrible legacy for the Bay State.
In our oceans, proposed new
uses are crowding and stressing offshore waters, fish
are disappearing and whales are dying. Climate change,
nutrient-loading, and invasive species are bringing
dramatic changes - many of which we have yet to fully
understand. Current decisions about ocean-related uses
are made in a piecemeal fashion by different agencies,
putting ocean-dependant communities and marine ecosystems
at risk. A more comprehensive ecosystem-based approach
is needed for how ocean planning decisions are informed,
made and carried out.
Senator Robert O'Leary, sponsor
of the Massachusetts Ocean Act, will host Massachusetts
Ocean Day on November 15th at the State House, showcasing
the Bay State's ocean heritage and how better management
will help protect our coastal and ocean resources. Former
White House Chief of Staff to President Clinton and
co-chair of the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative Leon
Panetta will join local organizations supporting improved
stewardship of our ocean. Local seafood and other refreshments
will be provided.
In a poll by Edge Research
in 2007, an overwhelming majority of Massachusetts residents
said that a healthy ocean is important to our future
(94%) and 80% of coastal residents supported the development
of a comprehensive ocean plan. Developed in consultation
from scientists, environmentalists, fishing interests
and other key stakeholders, the Massachusetts Ocean
Act will implement a comprehensive plan for balancing
commercial use, personal recreation and the protection
of critical ocean species and is modeled after the recommendations
of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Massachusetts
Ocean Task Force.
This is a critical year for
the Legislature and Governor to pass the Massachusetts
Ocean Act. Without it, our ability to enjoy and protect
our ocean, and benefit from all that the ocean has to
offer, will continue to be jeopardized by chaotic decision-making,
putting our economic future and our children's ocean
legacy at risk.
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