On May 23, 2008, Massachusetts passed the nation’s first comprehensive ocean planning bill. The Massachusetts Ocean Act calls for the design of a single, comprehensive Area-Based Management (ABM) plan for the state’s marine resources.
The Marine Conservation Initiative’s grantee, the University of Massachusetts, supports the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership, a broad-based coalition of stakeholders that are working to ensure the creation of a sound ABM plan for its ocean resources. This plan will be designed to secure resilient and productive marine ecosystems. Successful implementation of ABM in Massachusetts will be a model for New England and the rest of the US.
The Marine Conservation Initiative congratulates its grantees and their partners, including Ocean Conservancy, Massachusetts Audubon, and Conservation Law Foundation, for their key role in advancing comprehensive ABM in Massachusetts.
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