A New Partnership in Ocean Conservation

On June 4th, 2009, Maryland joined the Mid-Atlantic States of New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia to announce a new partnership and formally commit to address the region’s priority ocean issues including offshore energy, climate change, water quality, and habitat protection. The ocean waters of the Mid-Atlantic provide a wealth of economic and environmental services to local communities, the states, and the nation. However, the challenges facing our coastal and ocean resources are complex, ever-changing and not respectful of jurisdictional boundaries. Maryland acknowledges that in order to ensure that our ocean is healthy, resilient and productive for current and future generations we must embrace a new regional approach to its protection, restoration and management. The states’ governors, through the newly formed Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, will advocate in one voice to leverage greater state influence on the management of offshore areas and to help guide federal and interstate actions and resources.

IN THE INTEREST OF MARYLAND

Although Maryland’s jurisdiction only extends three nautical miles offshore, the State has a vast interest in the ecological and economic resources located both within and beyond three nautical miles. In Maryland, ocean related businesses generated statewide economic impacts of over $900 million – a major contributor to the health of Maryland’s economy – and emerging uses of ocean space and resources, such as offshore wind power, have the potential to facilitate new economic growth. The ocean and near shore habitats support a rich diversity of marine life which also contribute to valuable commercial and recreational fisheries and tourism.

WHAT IS MARYLAND DOING?

In December 2006, Maryland partnered with the Gerard J. Mangone Center for Marine Policy at the University of Delaware to develop a report that examines the current status of, and issues involved in, the management of ocean resources and uses in Maryland’s ocean zone (0 to 3 miles offshore), in the context of the Mid-Atlantic region. The product – “Toward a Vision for Maryland’s Ocean” – addresses major ocean and coastal issues along Maryland’s Atlantic border.

In this report, the major issues addressed include: 1) Living marine resources and associated issues (commercial and recreational fisheries; endangered and threatened species; offshore aquaculture; artificial reefs; and underwater cultural resources); 2) Coastal and marine tourism; 3) Environmental concerns (coastal hazards; coastal storms and tidal wave potential; shoreline erosion; sea level rise; nonpoint source pollution; and additional environmental concerns (ocean outfalls, harmful algal blooms, and fish kills); 4) Minerals, sand, and alternative energy resources (prospects for offshore oil and gas exploitation, sand mining, and offshore wind); and 5) Marine transportation issues (transport, processing and storage of liquefied natural gas, and other issues in marine transportation). The report also examines the interactions among the various ocean and coastal uses and identifies the compatibility and incompatibility, conflicts, and nature and extent of impacts among the issues.