Ocean River Network

The Ocean River Network engages, educates and broadens a constituency in Massachusetts supportive of comprehensive area-based management of state ocean waters. The Ocean River Network was supported in 2007 by the Ocean Conservancy, Conservation Law Foundation and Mass Audubon.

The Bay State's coastal waters, 1.6 million acres, are our largest public trust. They belong to us all, yet they face an onslaught of proposed new uses (indicated in Coastal Zone Management’s map of proposed projects circa 2006). Massachusetts needs a first-in-the- nation comprehensive ocean plan informed by science, citizens and user groups that will apply area-based management to commercial use, personal recreation and protection of underwater ocean habitat and marine life.

Coast Guard Station, Nahant

Through out the summer of 2007at festivals beaches including Nahant, Duxbury, Craigsville and Crane's and at music festivals, Earthfest and WUMB Boston folk, people learned about the complex and dynamic challenges of managing Massachusetts ocean .

Boston Folk Festival, U Mass

Evening receptions were held for river groups, environmental justice, and environmental groups on the North Shore.

All together more than 4,000 individuals joined in the ocean river network and nearly one hundred organizations helped in various capacities.

Near the end of Ocean Day at the State House, Governor Patrick stopped by to talk with exhibitors, roll up his sleeve to touch a live sea urchin and to enjoy Cape Cod's finest clam and oyster.

Passed overwhelmingly by both House and Senate, Governor Patrick signed the Massachusetts Oceans Bill into law on May 29, 2008. Now the real work of comprehensive and informned ocean management can begin.