This matrix represents a summary of the 61 actions outlined in the Ocean Action Plan. Included is a brief description and their implementation status as of June 8, 2023. A printable summary (PDF) is also available.
Goal 1: Ensure the Ecological Integrity of the Ocean Ecosystem
Action | Description | Steps & Status |
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1 | Evaluate, prioritize and remove or modify known impediments to diadromous fish passage. |
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2 | Develop a seagrass management program that will implement seagrass management plans for designated seagrass management areas. |
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3 | Monitor tidal wetland loss (trends), water quality and implement restoration in Long Island estuaries and embayments. |
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4 | Strengthen criteria for designation of significant coastal fish and wildlife habitats (SCFWH) and designate new areas as SCFWH in state waters (0-3 nautical miles). |
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5 | Implement the Long Island Pesticide Pollution Prevention Strategy to protect groundwater and surface water resources from pesticide-related contamination. |
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6 | Recommend solutions for reducing contaminants of emerging concern. |
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7 | Evaluate impacts from two sewage treatment outfalls located in ocean waters. |
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8 | Develop strategies to reduce pollutant and nutrient loads from onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) into the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER). |
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9 | Reduce bycatch in New York fisheries. |
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10 | Create an inshore trawl survey and monitoring program. |
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11 | Develop and implement a cooperative fisheries research program for state waters. |
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12 | Monitor abundances for both species of river herring, alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback (Alosa aestivalis), in the Hudson River estuary. |
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13 | Monitor distribution and habitat requirements of Atlantic surfclams in New York State waters. |
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14 | Investigate population declines of American lobster inshore, offshore and in estuaries. |
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15 | Monitor Ocean Acidification and investigate the impacts of ocean acidification on shellfish and crustaceans. |
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16 | Assess blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) abundance and life history characteristics and predict future population trends in Great South Bay and other marine waters. |
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17 | Monitor whelk abundance and movements inshore, offshore and in estuaries. |
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18 | Investigate Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus) habitat association in the Hudson River, inshore, offshore and in estuaries. |
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19 | Design and implement a monitoring survey to determine baseline trends for large whales in the New York Bight. |
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20 | Design and implement long-term monitoring surveys for large whales to mitigate the impacts of human activities and for effective conservation planning. |
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21 | Design and implement a monitoring survey for Sea Turtles in the New York Bight. |
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22 | Monitor distribution and relative abundance of finfish, large pelagics, and endangered and threatened marine species inshore, offshore and in estuaries. |
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23 | Expand the New York Natural Heritage Program to include additional marine species and offshore habitats. |
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24 | Evaluate horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) abundance and connectivity inshore, offshore and in estuaries. |
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25 | Reduce the incidental catch of marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds and Atlantic sturgeon. |
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26 | Establish an aquatic invasive species monitoring network for the ocean. |
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27 | Examine predator-prey dynamics within foraging hotspots located in estuaries, inshore, and offshore. |
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28 | Investigate natural and anthropogenic factors that are potentially contributing to winter flounder declines within New York embayments. |
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29 | Increase New York's participation at regional and interstate fisheries management meetings. |
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30 | Promote improved management of deep-sea corals and sponges within the New York Bight. |
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31 | Integrate avian conservation into research, management and offshore planning. |
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32 | Establish a baseline ocean monitoring system for the New York Bight. |
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33 | Develop an ocean indicators system or the New York Bight. |
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34 | Publish a State of the Ocean report. |
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Goal 2: Promote Economic Growth, Coastal Development and Human Use of the Ocean in a Manner Sustainable and Consistent with Maintaining Ecosystem Integrity
Action | Description | Steps & Status |
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35 | Assemble and analyze resource and use data for offshore planning. |
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36 | Identify essential ecosystem services in the New York Bight and assess their vulnerability to impacts from human activities and climate change. |
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37 | Develop and evaluate alternative future use scenarios and tradeoffs between ecosystem services and ocean use. |
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38 | Identify goals for environmental assessments to better understand effects of offshore renewable energy development on wildlife. |
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39 | Assess the effectiveness of BMPs and other measures used to mitigate adverse effects of anthropogenic sources of underwater noise. |
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40 | Represent New York's interests in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body (MidA RPB) ocean planning process. |
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41 | Develop of New York aquaculture policy and improve the regulatory framework to promote sustainable best management practices. |
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42 | Support the New York artificial reef program and identify suitable sites for future reef placement. |
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43 | Promote and develop New York's existing ocean economy and identify new opportunities for growth in New York's working waterfronts. |
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Goal 3: Increase Resilience of Ocean Resources to Impacts Associated with Climate Change
Action | Description | Steps & Status |
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44 | Assess and predict the vulnerability of the coastal areas to climate change. |
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45 | Identify, assess and prioritize flood-prone areas at risk due to climate change |
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46 | Examine the impacts of increased coastal flooding and sea-level rise on wastewater, stormwater and other vulnerable infrastructure in New York City and Long Island. |
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47 | Support the use of living shorelines as a tool to reduce coastal erosion and flooding while providing better environmental services. |
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48 | Evaluate and periodically revise the breach contingency plan. |
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49 | Update current community planning practices to include coastal resiliency strategies that effectively minimize the impacts of extreme weather events and sea-level rise. |
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50 | Encourage Long Island municipalities to participate in the Climate Smart Communities Program. |
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51 | Improve policies for sediment resource management, particularly for dredging and use of clean dredged sand from state waters. |
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52 | Identify and assess sand resources within state and federal waters. |
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Goal 4: Empower the Public to Actively Participate in Decision-Making and Ocean Stewardship
Action | Description | Steps & Status |
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53 | Develop a formal stakeholder engagement process for promoting the ocean action plan's long-term agenda. |
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54 | Establish an ocean advisory committee. |
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55 | Establish a biannual OAP stakeholder workshop |
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56 | Develop a statewide campaign to increase ocean literacy. |
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57 | Promote diverse stakeholder participation in ocean outreach and advance awareness of environmental issues in underserved communities. |
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58 | Create an updated recreational marine fishing guide. |
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59 | Install 20 informational kiosks at major public recreational fishing access sites. |
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60 | Develop best management practices to reduce, mitigate or remove marine debris. |
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61 | Promote responsible wildlife viewing activities for marine mammals within the New York Bight. |
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