Marine Industry White Papers and Ocean Planning Meeting Summaries Now Available

As part of its support for regional ocean planning, over the past year the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) has been engaged with memebers and stakeholders of marine-based industries in a project to characterize the industry sectors, identify key issues and trends relevant to ocean planning, and serve as a starting place for future discussions.  The marine industries (and sectors) that NROC focused on are aquaculture, maritime commerce (including ports, shipping companies, and pilots), and energy (including  offshore wind, marine hydrokinetic, natural gas, and transmission).  A series of white papers have been developed, based on analyses of key publications and reports on the sector, informed by interviews and surveys of sector representatives and through direct dialogue and feedback provided by sector members at a series of hands-on working sessions. The white papers for Aquaculture, Energy, and Maritime Commerce are now available.

During November and December of 2012, NROC held a series of ocean planning working sessions throughout New England with representatives from each industry.  Summaries of these meetings with the Aquaculture, Maritime Commerce, and Energy sectors are also now available.

Please see the  Ocean Planning Committee for more information on NROC’s engagement of other ocean planning stakeholders, including commercial fishing interests, the recreational boating industry, and the science and conservation communities.”