Landmark ocean management law a blueprint for the nation.

• Position: Massachusetts - Brief article

In May, MA Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law a historic ocean management act to balance commercial and recreational use with wildlife protection. The new law will lead to a first-in-the-nation ocean management plan to guide all development activity, including renewable energy, in state ocean waters.

CLF's Ocean Conservation team played a key leadership role in developing the new MA ocean management law which was the result of three years of negotiation and collaboration between legislators, environmental groups, fishing organizations and other ocean users.

"This landmark law provides the foundation for sensible planning in our ocean waters that balances economic growth with protection of marine wildlife and underwater habitat," said Priscilla Brooks, Director of the CLF's Ocean Conservation Program. "This...