Ocean Resources Management

The Commonwealth's interests extend beyond the reaches of the coastal zone, through the bays that surround our shores, and into the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean. These ocean areas provide us with vast economic opportunities, through the fishing and shipping industries, as well as diverse recreational possibilities. Unlike the coastal zone, however, no one lead agency is charged with managing the many ocean resources and activities in Massachusetts -- and, as with coastal zone management, no one agency can fully address the complex issues involved.

To address this issue, Governor Mitt Romney announced the Massachusetts Ocean Management Initiative in March of 2003. CZM is taking a leading role in this initiative, providing extensive technical expertise and staffing support.

In addition, CZM sponsored the development of aerial orthophotographs of coastal Massachusetts and is developing the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS) and Dredged Material Management Plan (DMMP) Technical Reports. The DMMP Technical Reports characterize the environmental and economic issues surrounding dredged material management in the Commonwealth, providing information on marine resources (sediment type and quality, seafloor habitat, fisheries, and archaeology) and the impacts associated with dredging and dredged material disposal.