This information fills a key gap in our understanding of coastal and ocean uses and is being used to inform
regional ocean planning efforts.
Across the country, states and regions are beginning to
use ocean planning to address the many competing uses off their coasts.
The Surfrider Foundation represents coastal recreation users
in ocean planning efforts in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Washington State.
Ocean planning provides a unique opportunity to protect outstanding coastal places before they become threatened by development.
The Surfrider Foundation is a key stakeholder in
ocean planning efforts, making sure recreational ocean users are heard in the public process.
This contest is an exciting opportunity to highlight all of the special coastal places people care deeply about and Surfrider's work to protect them through regional
ocean planning under the National Ocean Policy.
National and Regional Ocean Data Portals — Data portals exist to provide information in support
of ocean planning efforts.
Ocean planning reduces conflict among different uses, protects the natural environment and provides clear guidelines for private industry and developers.
By conducting scientific studies and ongoing outreach to thousands of businesses and groups, Surfrider is helping the coastal recreation sector assert itself as a major player
in ocean planning.
A new Surfrider Foundation report on ocean recreation in Oregon will inform the state's
ocean planning process.
The Surfrider Foundation believes that
ocean planning provides an important opportunity to protect «special places» such as ecological and recreational areas before they are threatened by potential development.
This July, officials from across the Mid-Atlantic released the highly anticipated draft of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Action Plan, a landmark document that outlines a collaborative approach to
regional ocean planning in the Mid-Atlantic.
As the Ocean Program Manager, Pete Stauffer leads Surfrider's engagement in ocean issues such as offshore drilling, marine protected areas,
ocean planning, and renewable energy.
As photography is a powerful medium of expression, Surfrider's objective for the photo contest is to inspire people to share images of their favorite coastal places and to spotlight the importance of protecting these special areas through regional
ocean planning.
A cornerstone of the National Ocean Policy, regional
ocean planning is a bottom - up process to plan for the future conservation and development of the ocean.
In regions and states across the U.S.,
ocean planning is helping to ensure that new development in our ocean will avoid impacts to the marine environment and communities that depend on it.
Our Ocean Protection Initiative includes grassroots campaigns to establish and support Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), oppose new offshore oil drilling and seismic testing, participate in regional
ocean planning, and ensure renewable ocean energy does not damage our ocean.
Ocean planning is a public process that brings together different ocean stakeholders — including recreation, conservation, fishing, energy and government — to make informed decisions about how to use the ocean sustainably.
In New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the West Coast, Surfrider Foundation has emerged as a key stakeholder in
ocean planning, representing recreational ocean users in the public planning process.
In particular,
ocean planning is being used to identify locations for renewable energy projects that will reduce impacts on the environment and existing users (e.g., surfers, fishermen).
OpenChannels is your comprehensive source for news, guidance, and community discussion on sustainable practices in
ocean planning and management.