Planning for the Future of Ocean Management on Cape Cod
Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to adopt a comprehensive, enforceable ocean management plan. Created under the Massachusetts Oceans Act of 2008, the Ocean Management Plan (OMP) established a science-based, data-driven framework for managing state ocean waters, balancing activities such as fishing, shipping, recreation, renewable energy development, and conservation without harming the environment. The Plan sets siting and performance standards for projects in state waters and identifies Special, Sensitive, or Unique (SSU) habitats and Concentrated Water-Dependent Use Areas, including whale habitat, eelgrass beds, commercial fishing grounds, and major navigation routes.
In 2009, Barnstable County designated an Ocean Management Planning District of Critical Planning Concern, leading to the development of the Cape Cod Ocean Management Plan (CCOMP) in 2011. The regional plan serves as a companion to the state OMP, providing a detailed inventory of Cape Cod’s ocean resources and uses, defining “appropriate scale” for renewable energy development, and guiding review of projects such as cables, pipelines, and sand extraction through the Commission’s Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process.
The 2025 Regional Policy Plan includes a recommendation to update the CCOMP following completion of the state’s OMP update, which is now underway. The Oceans Act requires the Plan to be reviewed and revised at least every five years to reflect the latest science, evolving ocean uses, and new priorities. The current update will occur in two phases: first, a formal assessment of existing conditions and management standards; second, development of amendments as needed. The Plan applies to state waters from 0.3 nautical miles offshore to the state-federal boundary, including the waters surrounding Cape Cod, Nantucket Sound, and Cape Cod Bay.
For Cape Cod, the stakes are tangible. The region’s waters support North Atlantic right whales, important bird habitats, eelgrass meadows, and complex seafloor systems critical to marine biodiversity. They also sustain commercial and recreational fisheries, shellfishing, ferry routes, whale watching, boating, aquaculture, and offshore wind development. The Ocean Management Plan provides the framework to ensure that development avoids, minimizes, and mitigates impacts to these resources while supporting economic activity.
Technical working groups began meeting in 2025 to evaluate data, assess management standards, and identify emerging needs. Topics under review include offshore sand resources for coastal resilience, navigation and transportation trends, cultural and recreational uses, offshore wind and associated infrastructure, and emerging ocean technologies. The process includes consultation with the Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC) and the Science Advisory Council (SAC), as required by the Oceans Act. Cape Cod is represented on the OAC by the Commission’s Natural Resources Manager, who ensures the region’s interests are reflected in discussions on protected areas, management standards, and future amendments.
A formal review document is anticipated in 2026, followed by draft amendments and opportunities for public comment before the final plan is adopted. Public engagement is central to the process, ensuring that communities like those on Cape Cod help shape how the Commonwealth manages its ocean waters in the years ahead.
