The Oceans Act of 2008 charged the Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC) with assisting the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs in developing the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan by holding public meetings and making recommendations for plan management and development. As directed by the Oceans Act, this 18-member commission includes legislators, agency heads, representatives from a commercial fishing organization and an environmental organization, an expert in offshore renewable energy, and representatives from the coastal Regional Planning Agencies. The OAC provides important advice and guidance on reviewing and amending the ocean plan, ongoing implementation, and related ocean management issues.
OAC Members
Legislators
- Senator Bruce Tarr
- Senator TBD
- Senator Julian Cyr
- Representative Mathew Muratore
- Representative Joan Meschino
- Representative Patrick Kearney
Agency Representatives
- Tyler Soleau, Acting Director, Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
- Dan McKiernan, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game
- Bonnie Heiple, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Stakeholder Representatives
- Beth Casoni, Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association
- Cynthia Wigren, Atlantic White Shark Conservancy
- Pending, Expert in the Development of Offshore Renewable Energy
- Heather McElroy, Cape Cod Commission
- Pending, Martha's Vineyard Commission
- Pending, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
- Jack Clarke, Metropolitan Area Planning Council
- Andrew Vorce, Nantucket Planning & Economic Development Commission
- Janice Robbins, Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District