The Problem

Our ocean, the species that live in it and the communities that depend on it are all vulnerable to change and stress.

The ocean environment is already rapidly changing thanks to climate change, and at the same time the way we use the ocean is dynamic and expanding. Commercial and recreational fishermen who have lived off the sea for generations are now sharing space with offshore wind farms. Coastal communities’ calls to replenish beaches after storms are driving sand mining proposals in the same places offshore that harbor important fish habitat.

In this world of increasing stresses and demands on our ocean, it is more important than ever to understand how all of these ocean uses interact with each other and the ocean environment, so that we can get ahead of any problems. But our traditional system for managing the ocean was never designed to provide that kind of holistic management. Most of our laws and agencies were established to address specific topics, ocean uses or resource needs. Dozens of federal agencies, each with their own independent missions, are involved in managing ocean waters. Without a way to coordinate and plan, we won’t be able to tackle the incredible stresses and changes our ocean and communities are facing.

Did you know: Fewer than 500 Atlantic right whales survive off our eastern coastline.

Just imagine if you were building a house and your carpenter, electrician, plumber, and construction crew never worked out a plan together – would any of them be able to get their jobs done right? Would you wind up with a house at all? The same is true in the ocean: without smart ocean planning, the families, communities and wildlife that depend on the ocean to survive are risking conflict and crises where everyone loses.

The Solution

Smart Ocean Plans

It’s always key to have a good plan. To help protect our ocean and economy, regions across the country have embarked on their own planning processes to collect data, engage ocean users and coordinate decision-making to better understand how, where and when we use the ocean.

Ocean planning is about strong relationships, shared data and coordinated management. The goal is to make scientifically-informed decisions about marine species and habitats while supporting local communities who depend on the ocean.

Amy Trice

Director, Ocean Planning

Because ocean planning is voluntary and only done at the request of the states or regions, different regions are at various stages of the planning process.

Leading the nation and changing history are the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, who now both have regional ocean plans in place for the waters from Virginia to Maine. Following close behind are the Pacific Islands and the West Coast, embarking on their own, unique planning processes to meet the needs of each region’s diverse ocean uses and unique ecosystem.

The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic plans take a stakeholder-driven approach, with revolutionary public data portals with unique information describing how and where people and animals use the ocean. By putting the right people and the right data around the decision-making table together, these plans help minimize conflict and protect the environment and the interests and livelihoods of all those involved.

Smart ocean planning serves as a guidepost for future changes in the way we use and interact with our ocean and how ocean users interact among themselves.

Meet Jeff and Bill, an unlikely pair of friends who came to respect each other through the ocean planning process.