Coastal Issues | Ocean Resources | In Depth

In Depth: Ocean and Great Lakes Resources

Our ocean and Great Lakes contain a vast wealth of natural resources and support many varied uses. Therefore, ocean and Great Lakes resource management can encompass a wide array of activities. Examples of some of the types of management activities include:

Regional and Statewide Planning and Policy Efforts

Undertaking regional and statewide planning and policy activities to address ocean and Great Lakes resources are very important to protect and preserve the region’s natural resources while accommodating the many economic uses that depend on the ocean and Great Lakes environment. Regional and statewide planning and policy efforts frequently address a comprehensive range of resource management issues, including: resource distribution and health; multiple uses and use conflicts; affects on endangered or threatened species; and affects on critical or sensitive habitats. For example, some states have improved ocean resource management by adopting a statewide ocean management statute, or developing a statewide or regional comprehensive ocean or Great Lakes management plan. Examples of regional planning efforts include the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and the Great Lakes Commission.

Marine Zoning and Marine Protected Areas

Marine zoning and marine protected areas (MPAs) identify where specific activities and uses can occur within a zone or protected area. These tools can also be important tools for managing ocean and Great Lakes Resources. State and local governments can establish marine zoning, MPAs, and even a regional MPA network to protect sensitive resource areas and avoid use conflicts.

 Habitat Research, Assessment, and Monitoring

Habitat research, assessment and monitoring is essential for understanding the distribution and health of ocean and Great Lakes resources within a regional, state, or local jurisdiction. Monitoring and assessment is also important to determine how the health and distribution of the resources change over time due to resource use, extraction, or restoration activities. Research, assessment and monitoring are necessary to understand the threats that may cause ocean and Great Lakes resources to decline, and to provide baseline information needed to establish effective resource management plans and protected areas.

Some specific examples of research, assessment and monitoring include: wetlands restoration and monitoring; monitoring of harmful algal blooms and their associated affects on resources and public health; assessing the impacts of boating on seagrass beds; researching the distribution of different benthic habitats such as seagrass and shellfish beds, coral reefs, or sandy bottoms; monitoring water quality; and understanding the source of impairments to coastal habitats.

Mapping and Information Systems

Mapping and information systems are essential tools for understanding and managing ocean and Great Lake resources. Mapping and information systems can help managers and the public visualize ocean resource use conflicts and understand threats or impacts to marine resources.

Mapping and information systems can be used to characterize boating uses and distribution, identify recreational high use areas and areas of potential use conflicts, show habitat distribution, understand the spatial interaction of resources and uses, and develop zones for specific uses to reduce user conflicts.

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