- Division of Marine Fisheries
What is biodiversity? Biodiversity, quite simply, is the extraordinary abundance and variety of life. This includes all the species, their habitats, and complex interactions that form the interdependent web of life. In the marine environment, biodiversity is the abundance of fish, marine mammals, plants, and microorganisms in our ocean waters, coastlines, and estuaries.
Conserving marine biodiversity is critically important. As commercial fishers, shellfishers, seafood dealers, recreational anglers, marine scientists, and more—you're no stranger to the value of conserving our marine environment. Thriving oceans, barrier beaches, estuarine environments, salt marshes, and working waterfronts are part of our state’s identity, anchoring our history, culture, and future. Biodiversity sustains our health, well-being, and nation-leading seafood economy, ensuring we have clean water, air, and healthy, local food resources. And, biodiversity is a key climate solution—nature protects our coastal communities from the impacts of flooding, drought, and extreme heat.
Despite its vital importance—biodiversity is in crisis. Habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution of our lands and waters, invasive species, alter the resilience of our ocean ecosystems. Climate change is accelerating these impacts—warming temperatures, increasing precipitation, and extreme storms are bringing real challenges to our coastlines and marine resources.
In September 2023, Governor Maura Healey made history by signing Executive Order No. 618 which directs the Department of Fish & Game to develop nation-leading biodiversity conservation goals, including for coastal and marine habitats, for 2030, 2040, and 2050. To do this, the Department and its Division of Marine Fisheries are assessing all existing state initiatives and crafting recommendations to conserve biodiversity for generations to come.
Sustaining our nation-leading blue economy will be a key priority of this initiative—recommendations will seek to boost fish productivity, support species migration, and enhance the resilience of marine habitats. Draft goals discussed include: restoring salt marshes and eelgrass beds, two critically important nursery habitats; reducing nutrient pollution to ensure no net loss of shellfish resources; restoring free flowing coastal rivers to support river herring; conserving endangered species like North Atlantic right whales, and much more.
As we develop our final recommendations to the Healey-Driscoll Administration this fall, we are looking for public feedback. As supporters of the Division of Marine Fisheries, your voice is critically important—we want to hear what your priorities are for conserving marine biodiversity and sustainable fisheries for future generations. That’s why the Department of Fish & Game is hosting two virtual public listening sessions on July 17, 12-2 pm and July 23, 6-8 pm to share an update on progress to develop nation-leading biodiversity conservation goals and offer an opportunity for the public to offer feedback. Register today at mass.gov/biodiversity. These meetings will kick off a month-long public comment period open through August 30, 2024, where people will be able to provide written feedback. An online survey will be available at mass.gov/biodiversity.
By Julia Hopkins, DFG Communications Director, and Bob Glenn, DMF Deputy Director
