Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan- Volume 2 Baseline Assessment and Science Framework

The main purpose of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan is to translate the policy direction and specific requirements of the Oceans Act into a comprehensive management approach that can be implemented through existing state programs and regulations. Volume 2 provides the baseline assessment of the current state of knowledge regarding human uses, natural resources, and other ecosystem components of Massachusetts' ocean waters. A science framework builds on the baseline assessment to identify and prioritize the future scientific research and data acquisition that will support continued evolution of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan.