This OPAC working group recently met in Newport to discuss amendments to the Territorial Sea Plan by creating a new chapter on Alternative Energy in the Ocean. Surfrider has a formal role in this process thru a parallel subgroup called the Rule-making Advisory Committee (RAC), which will work on a policy framework for Wave Energy. Items discussed at the meeting were spatial mapping of fishing effort along the coast, offshore aquaculture, and recreational use. There is a strong need for us as ocean users to identify places of recreational and ecological importance that are worthy of protection. In the coming months we will be compiling existing statistics from various sources, identifying any gaps, and working to fill in any existing gaps through the development of survey tools and outreach to ocean users. Please take 10 minutes when you get a chance to fill out a simple on-line survey that we have running to identify places of importance and socioeconomic contributions of recreational use by clicking here
