This document assessed the impact of past ocean management plans in several countries and U.S. states. It found that the plans supported $4.1 billion in ocean economies by siting wind farms and retaining existing industries. The plans also generated hundreds of millions of dollars annually in economic gains for new industries like wind power and retained billions within existing industries like fishing and tourism. While fishermen lost some access, they were compensated. The plans encouraged collaboration among stakeholders and expanded environmental protections over 50% of the planned areas while managing industrial growth. Future research on newer plans is needed to fully understand the long-term economic, environmental and social impacts of comprehensive ocean management.

1. OCEAN PLANNING’S
IMPACT
An economic, environmental,
and social retrospective

2. 2
We assessed the impact of past ocean plans
Great Barrier
Reef
Norway
Belgium
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
GermanyUK
Netherlands

3. 3
Economic impact:
Sited wind farms and
retained incumbent
industries, supporting
$4.1B in ocean
economies

4. 4
The biggest gains went to the new users: wind farms
230
55-110
<1 0 0
Belgium
(wind)
Rhode Island
(wind)
Massachusetts
(cable)
Norway Great Barrier
Reef
Average ~ $60
million per year
Annual economic gains, $M

5. 5
Plans also retained billions within incumbent industries
Annual economic activity retained, $M
1,850
1,250
530
90 80
Great Barrier
Reef
Norway Massachusetts Rhode Island Belgium
Average ~ $760
million per year
Fishing
Tourism

6. 6
Fishermen lost some access
but were compensated
• Australia: $210 million
• Rhode Island: $0.3 million for
now, more likely
• Netherlands: Fund established

7. 7
Government spending broke even
Agencies spend more
on stakeholder
outreach, research,
and collaboration
Agencies spend less
on appeals and
litigation

8. 8
Social impact:
Encouraged
collaboration and
research

9. 9
Plans led to more collaboration and research
Fishermen engage in broader planning processes
Developers negotiate, modify plans, and compensate
Governments expand cooperation and research funding
Native tribes own their part in marine management

10. 10
Environmental impact:
Expanded protection to 50%
of the area, cut CO2, and
managed industrial growth

11. 11
Potential future directions for practice and research
• Track newer plans: Of the ~60 possible case study plans, fewer than
half have been approved and implemented, and the vast majority of
those that have only have a few years of results (2014). That should
change in the coming years
• Build in monitoring from the start: Data on impacts is scarce. Most is
first-level results (e.g., square miles of marine protected areas, direct
economic impacts)
• Assess the full suite of impacts: With an expanded dataset and longer
time lapse, future studies could assess the full suite of economic,
environmental, and social impacts, and the efficiencies gained through
better multi-use planning

12. OCEAN PLANNING’S
IMPACT
An economic, environmental,
and social retrospective
jasonblau@redstonestrategy.com