[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]











     THE GULF OF MAINE ACTION PLAN

                         July 1991





             Prepared by the Gulf of Maine Working Group

              for the Council on the Marine Environment

















GC
512
.M3
G94
1991


















































The Gulf of Maine Action Plan was prepared by the Gulf of Maine Working Group,
and coordinated by Melissa Waterman, Council on the Marine Environment
Secretariat, with support provided by the Federal Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management under Section 309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of
1972, as amended.










                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS






The Gulf of Maine: An Overview                                                                      page 1


Background to the Action Plan                                                                       page 5


Mission Statement and Definitions                                                                   page 7


Issue Areas

       Monitoring and Research                                                                      page 9

       Coastal and Marine Pollution                                                                page 12

       Habitat Protection                                                                          page 15

       Education and Participationi                                                               page 17

       Protection of Public Health                                                                 page 20




Appendices

       Gulf of Maine Working Group members
       Action Plan Reviewers                               U S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
       Agreement on the Conservation of the Marine         COAST AL SERVICES CENTER
       Environment of the Gulf of Maine                    2234 SOUTH HOEON AVENUE
                                                          2'234 Sou'rH HOrSON AVENUE
                                                         CHARLESTON  SC  29405-2413





;'

                                                           Proparty  of  COC  Library
Lr  - 














           THE GULF OF MAINE COUNCIL ON THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT


                                             1990-91 MEMBERS











  NOVA SCOTIA                                                    NEW HAMPSHIRE

  John Leefe                                                     Jeffrey Taylor
  Minister, Department of the Environment                        Director, State Planning Office

  Guy LeBlanc                                                    Robert Varney
 Minister, Department of Fisheries                                Commissioner, Department of
             V                                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Environmental Services

  NEW BRUNSWICK
                                                             MASSACHUSETTS
  Vaughn Blaney
  Minister, Department of the Environment                        Jeffrey Benoit
                                                             Director, Coastal Zone Management Office
  Denis Losier
  Minister, Department of Fisheries                              Diane Gould
  and Aquaculture                                                Director, Massachusetts Bays Program


  MAINE

  Dean Marriott
  Commissioner, Department of
  Environmental Protection

  Richard Silkman
  Director, State Planning Office



                                           GULF ACTION PLAN    '



                             A COMMON RESOURCE - THE GULF OF MAINE

       The water body known as the Gulf of Maine extends from Cape Sable, Nova Scotia to Cape Cod,
Massachusetts, and includes the Bay of Fundy and Georges Bank. It may be defined in many ways: as a semi-
enclosed sea, separated from the Atlantic ocean by underwater banks; as the geographic extent of certain plant and
animal species; as an economic resource linking the three American states and two Canadian provinces; and as
the foundation of a distinct maritime culture shared by the two countries. Most importantly, however, the Gulf
of Maine is a marine ecosystem, comprised of interrelated nutrient cycles, currents and tides, food chains and
energy flows. The fish, marine mammals, and birds inhabiting the Gulf region lead transboundary lives, crossing
into Canadian or U.S. waters freely. The continued health of the system that sustains those creatures, as well as
our own continued reliance upon the system's resources, demands that we manage it as a marine ecosystem, not
as a composite of separate and jurisdictionally distinct issues. To sustain the bounty of the Gulf, it must be
protected and managed in a coordinated manner.

       The Gulf of Maine Action Plan is an attempt by the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts
and the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to rethink their management of the Gulf and to define
shared goals to strive toward over the next ten years. Creation of the Action Plan required that the states and
provinces recognize their common interests in the Gulf of Maine. The purpose of the Action Plan is best summed
up in its Mission Statement: "to maintain and enhance marine environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine and to
allow for sustainable resource use by existing and future generations." The Action Plan recognizes the current
good health of the Gulf and takes a preventative stance toward control of future pollution. Acknowledgement that
the resources of the Gulf - fish, clean water, water-based recreational activities - are depletable is emphasized by
the Plan's focus on sustainable development.

Characteristics

       But what is the Gulf of Maine? It is known as one of the world's most productive water bodies. This fact
stems from the combined productivity of its seaweeds, salt marsh grasses, and phytoplankton. Two currents
dominate water circulation in the Gulf - a counterclockwise current moving through the Gulf and a clockwise
current flowing over Georges Bank. A huge volume of water coming from the major rivers that enter the Gulf, from
waters flowing around southwest Nova Scotia, and from deep waters coming through the Northeast Channel,
powers these currents. It takes about three months for water to circulate around the periphery of the Gulf.

       The Gulf of Maine is considered one of the premier marine environments of the eastern seaboard. The
foundations of the Gulf's great biologic abundance are the single-celled phytoplankton and the macroalgae,'
known as seaweed. Phytoplankton bloom during the spring and summer months, when sun-lit waters are rich in
nutrients. Georges Bank is the area of highest productivity in the Gulf's offshore waters. Lowest productivity
occurs in the deep Gulf waters and along the southern edge of Georges Bank. Yet, in comparison to other shelf
ecosystems, all of the Gulf of Maine has high primary productivity levels.

       The parts of the Gulf familiar to most people are the coast and adjacent waters. Among the varied habitats
that comprise the Gulfs extenisve coast, the Gulf's numerous estuaries, such as the Annapolis River estuary in
Nova Scotia or the Great Bay Estuary in New Hamsphire, are among the most productive. These estuaries are
thought to be vital at some life stage to 70 percent of the commercially-valuable fish species of the Gulf.

       Salt marshes and mud flats are other characteristic features of the coast. Mud flats are found in shallow,
protected waters. Small invertebrates live in the mud, providing food for fish, crustaceans, and birds. The salt
marsh plants provide food and cover for both marine and terrestrial organisms, trap sediments, and add nutrients
to the system through decomposition. Rocky intertidal shores are another characteristic habitat of the Gulf. These
shores are high energy environments where plants and animals must adhere themselves to hard surfaces to
survive breaking waves. The Gulf coast also includes sand, gravel, cobble and boulder beaches. Microorganisms


                                                    page 




                                                 GULF ACTION PLAN



     and tiny invertebrates are the dominant organisms of the region's sand beaches and provide food for migratory
      shore birds.

             Thousands of islands lie along the Gulf's coast. Some are sandy barrier islands, common along the
      Massachusetts coast. The majority, however, are rocky outcroppings found along the Maine coast. The islands
      support nesting seabirds, seals and shellfish along with traditional human communities. Due to their geographic
      isolation, valuable examples of unique vegetative communities and rare plant species exist on some islands. Off
      shore, the Gulf's shallow subtidal habitats feature a variety of macroalgae, including kelp and eelgrass. The kelp
      and eelgrass, in turn, provide food and protection to marine organisms such as sea urchins and sand dollars. Sea
      scallops, winter flounder and lobster also are found within these habitats during certain seasons of the year.

              An array of animal species live within the Gulf region. More than 18 species of marine mammals are
      present in the Gulf at various times during the year. From late spring into the fall, the endangered northern right
      whale feeds and courts in Gulf waters. The Gulf 's many habitats make it a hospitable region for a variety of bird
      species. The mud flats and sand beaches provide food for shorebirds as they migrate between their Arctic breeding
      grounds and southern wintering locations. A Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve has been established at the head of
      the Bay of Fundy in order to protect habitat for the half million semipalmated sandpipers and other endangered
      shorebirds that visit the area each year. Great blue herons, osprey and bald eagles feed and breed near the Gulf's
      estuaries. Shallow subtidal habitats supply food for diving ducks, such as eiders, buffleheads and scoters. During
      the winter months, great flocks of these birds can be seen floating just off the coast.

      Values

              Historically, the Gulf has been the preeminent source of livelihood for residents along its shores. During
~.~   recent decades, use of its resources has expanded, as more and more people make recreational use of the Gulf's
      rich waters and often unspoiled shores.

              Fishing remains the principal commercial venture in the Gulf of Maine. In Gulf waters, nearly 20,000
      fishermen operate approximately 300 Canadian and 1,350 American fishing vessels, as well as 4,000 lobster boats
      in the two countries. Since the extension of national jurisdictions to 200 miles offshore in 1977, fishing effort in the
      Gulf has grown sharply, while fish landings in each country have steadily declined. Consequently, other fisheries
      have taken shape during the past decade. A sea urchin fishery prospers in Maine, generating an estimated $2-3
      million in value in 1988. Seaweed harvesting is a growing business in Nova Scotia, where 55 million pounds were
      harvested in 1988. Aquaculture ventures,'concentrating on Atlantic salmon, trout, mussels, oysters, and quahogs,
      also are increasing in number in each jurisdiction.

              Tourism is another form of resource use that is growing throughout the Gulf region. Millions of people
      visit the Gulf coast each year in order to enjoy beautiful land and seascapes and recreational opportunities. Some
      tourism businesses, such as whale watching, are based entirely upon the Gulf's unique characteristics. Others,
      such as resorts, restaurants, or even second-home development, are based simply on the beauty of the Gulf coast.
      While the economic value of tourism to each Gulf state and province is hard to determine, it is recognized to be
      a major contributor to the state and provincial economies as well as a critical source of revenue to small coastal
      communities.

              Another use of the Gulf, which is in conflict with some of those previously mentioned, is its value as a
      repository of wastes. The Gulf is used to assimilate sewage, industrial effluent, urban runoff, and air pollution.
      The true damage caused by our long-term chronic and cumulative pollution of the Gulf is not quickly determined,
      for the economic effects of disposal of these wastes in the ocean are rarely calculated. However, the cost includes
      the loss of other valued uses, such as shellfish harvesting or recreational swimming.




                                                            page 2











               72'                    70                      W66                                                                     6',
























                                       46* -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~6






















                      -                                                               /                 Watershed~~~~~~~~~~ve





                                                                                                                          ~~~~~~SAL










             40*  -  -'i                                                                                   Depd~~~~~~~ coofl~~~r in mMcalenn



42'                             70                                                                                                       42,6




                                            GULF ACTION PLAN



       The uses we make of the Gulf and their value to us are constantly evolving. Yet, we must recognize that
nearly all depend on a healthy marine environment. The health of the Gulf ecosystem is integrally connected to
the quality of our own lives.

Stresses

       Our use of the Gulf of Maine and of its surrounding lands has put stress on the marine environment by
altering habitat, introducing contaminants, and influencing population dynamics. This stress has escalated as use
of both land and water has intensified. It is our smaller, dispersed activities that continue to have a cumulative
effect on the ecosystem.

        Population growth and land use changes have produced the most visible impacts on Gulf waters and
surrounding lands. Historically, cities and their industries were located on major waterways, which then were
used both for power and for transport. Development in the Gulf concentrated around major ports such as Boston
or St. John. After World War II, and most recently, during the 1980's, population and land development grew
dramatically in the Gulf region, specifically on the coast. Within the region, population growth currently is
approximately twice as fast in the U.S. states as in the two provinces.

        Growth of the population has changed the type and intensity of land use in parts of the Gulf region. Along
the southwestern Gulf coast, agricultural lands have been converted to residential development. This conversion
process extends up to mid-coast Maine. Changes in land use have hastened the destruction of coastal habitat. Since
the time of European settlement, approximately 65 percent of the tidal flats and marshes in the Maritime provinces
have been altered or lost. A recent report by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servfce estimates that approximately
1,511,000 acres of inland and saltwater wetlands have been lost since the time of the American Revolution.
Projected sea level rise will further affect wetlands and other coastal habitats. Continued coastal development on
beaches and dunes exacerbates natural erosion processes. The jetties and seawalls built to stabilize sands beneath
ill-chosen house sites simply hasten erosion. Even those barrier beaches now protected as parks or reserves are
threatened by the effects of adjacent development.

        As land use intensifies, so do the effects of non-point source pollution. Non-point sources of pollution to
the Gulf represent the greatest threat to the nearshore environment because of their pervasive character, their
cumulative effect, and the difficulty of control or abatement. Urban runoff, road runoff, forest and agricultural
runoff, failing septic systems, shipping and boating activities, and deposition of airborne contaminants continue
to affect the quality of the waters and natural resources of the Gulf.

        Failing and inadequate residential septic systems located along the estuaries or on the Gulf coast
introduce nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorine, viruses and bacteria into coastal waters. The effect of such pollution is
to close shellfish areas to harvestors or to close beaches to swimming. In addition, discharges from recreational
boats and ships contribute bacteria and nutrients, as well as lead, copper and tributyl tin from bottom paints. In
the Gulf as a whole, such contaminants do not pose a measurable problem. However, in congested harbors and
anchorages, such discharges have become a concern.

        Point-sources of pollution come from industrial plants, such as pulp and paper mills, fish processing
plants, textile mills, metal fabrication and finishing plants, municipal sewage treatment plants, and chemical and
electronic factories, all of which are found along the Gulf. Many industries have improved their waste effluent,
in response to public pressure and government regulations, but they still legally discharge an array of metals,
petroleum hydrocarbons, and other toxic contaminants. Several hundred industries around the Gulf pump their
wastes directly into coastal waters. In the United States, the majority of industries send their wastes to the local
municipal treatment plants, which were not designed to handle complex industrial effluents. It is estimated that
over a ton of toxics is discharged daily into Boston Harbor from its two municipal treatment facilities.



                                                     page 3




                                           GULF ACTION PLAN



       Sewage treatement will continue to be a concern as the regional population grows. Within many cities,
sewage treatment facilities are antiquated and cannot handle a growing volume of sewage. In some cities, such
as St. John, sewage is collected but receives little or no treatment. Often sewage effluent may be treated with
chlorine, a chemical of concern because of its potential toxic effects on marine organisms. In some urban areas,
storm drains are connected to the sewage system, causing the treatment facilities to become overloaded after a
rainstorm. As a consequence, large amounts of nutrients, bacteria, metals, toxics, oil and other contaminants are
discharged together into coastal waters.

       Dredging projects in the region result in the disposal of dredged materials within Gulf waters. There are
four major dredge disposal sites in the U.S. portion of the Gulf. In Maine alone, 4.5 million cubic yards of material
have been dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers between 1950 and 1989. The dredging and dumping of
material may adversely affect the marine environment. Pollution can be spread by moving contaminated sedi-
ments from harbors to clean, open ocean areas. Bottom-dwelling communities can be destroyed by the dredging
or disposal of materials in the ocean.

       Another cause for concern in the Gulf is the large volume of oil shipped to its ports. In 1986, 1,974,000
gallons of oil entered the port of Portland; 3,390,000 gallons entered the port of St. John. In 1987, the port of Boston
ranked seventh highest nationwide among oil handling ports. In the past, several spills, ranging from 200,000 to
600,000 gallons, have occurred in Gulf ports. The United States and Canada are both parties to a treaty that
establishes cooperative procedures in the event of an oil spill in the Gulf of Maine. In addition, all the states and
provinces have regulations intended to prevent minor or major oil spills. Yet, the potential for a catastrophic oil
spill still exists.

The Future

        The greatest threat to the health of the Gulf comes from the long term effects of introducing small and
seemingly insignificant quantitites of persistent toxic materials to marine waters. The sub-lethal effects of this
chronic contamination can cause significant changes in such ecosystem propertiesas productivity, recruitment, re-
production and community composition. These changes are not easy to discern yet they are the warning signs of
environmental degradation, difficult if not impossible to reverse.

        Everything within the watershed of the Gulf of Maine is connected. Our activities on the land matter as
much, if not more, than our activities in the water. The effects of these activities are becoming increasingly
apparent. We have lost some preferred uses of the Gulf: shellfish beds are closed to harvestors, estuaries are losing
wetlands and consequently, the habitat critical to juvenile fish and shellfish, sea bird habitat is disappearing, coves
and harbors are plagued by nuisance algae during the summer months. The complexity of the Gulf system
requires an equally complex response from the states and provinces that border it. As requested by the region's
governors and premiers, the Gulf of Maine Action Plan represents a coordinated response by the states and
provinces to some of the issues threatening the integrity of the Gulf.
















                                                     page 4



                                               GULF ACTION PLAN



   The Need for an Action Plan

           Marine ecosystem health is dependent upon a multitude of interwoven biological, physical, chemical and
   geological factors, many of which are not fully understood. Thus, a proper management approach for any marine
   water body must reflect the interrelated nature of the ecosystem. The Gulf of Maine illustrates the need for a
   coordinated approach to environmental management, for the boundaries that define the Gulf of Maine are
   physical rather than political.

   Developing the Action Plan

           The great biologic wealth of the Gulf of Maine has been shared for centuries by the bordering states and
   provinces as well as by other nations, though not without occasional conflict. It is this shared history that has
   provided a strong foundation for cooperative efforts by the states, provinces, and federal agencies to draft a Gulf
   Action Plan intended to protect the Gulf's environmental integrity. The Gulf of Maine Action Plan is a document
   that outlines the goals and principles that the states and provinces bordering the Gulf agree to pursue during the
   next ten years. Within the Plan, state, provincial, and federal agencies, as well as environmental organizations and
   interested citizens, articulate the goals and objectives that they consider most important to address. These goals
   and objectives lie within the overall context of the Plan's mission statement: "to maintain and enhance marine
   environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine and to allow for sustainable resource use by existing and future
   generations."

           The Action Plan focuses on transboundary issues, rather than specific state, provincial, or local problems.
   Much can be accomplished when the governments of three states and two provinces, as well as federal agencies,
   find compatible methods to pursue common goals. Yet a policy document that refuses to acknowledge the cultural
 realities of the region would be an ill-formed and unsupportable plan. There are two great values inherent within
   the Gulf of Maine system, recognized by the Gulf Action Plan: the existence of an incredibly diverse and
   productive ecosystem and the existence of distinct economic and social benefits derived from that system by the
   region's residents. At a policy level, one of the purposes of the Action Plan is to maintain the natural and cultural
   heritage of the region through protection of its environmental quality and support of sustainable resource use.

   Foundations of the Plan

           The Action Plan evolved from an international conference titled The Gulf of Maine - Sustaining Our
   Common Heritage, held in. December, 1989, in Portland, Maine. At that conference, scientists, policy makers,
   fishermen, marine trades people, and interested citizens listened to technical papers on six Gulf issues. Based on
   those six issue areas, more than 250 participants were divided into small "working sessions" where specific
   problems and possible actions were identified and discussed. The mix of participants and the focused nature of
   the working sessions resulted in concise lists of actions deemed necessary to meet existing and future problems
   in the Gulf. These summaries, found in the conference Proceedings, later formed the basis of the Action Plan.

           At that conference, the two premiers and three governors signed the Agreement on the Conservation of the
   Marine Environment of the Gulf of Maine, which established the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment
   (Gulf Council). The Gulf Council's ten appointed members were charged to develop a regional marine environ-
   mental quality monitoring plan and a ten-year Gulf of Maine Natural Resources Action Plan, among other things.
   The Gulf of Maine Working Group, management committee of the Council, has overseen both initiatives.

           The United Nations Environmental Program's Regional Seas Program and existing water body manage-
   ment efforts in the United States and Canada were used as examples when devising the structure of the Action
   Plan. Several iterations of the Plan's outline were reviewed by the Working Group prior to the Council's
   agreement on the Plan's goals and objectives at their June, 1990 meeting. An initial review of the document by state,
   provincial, and federal agencies took place during September and October of that year. The Council then reviewed


                                                        page5




                                           GULF ACTION PLAN



a draft Action Plan in November, 1990, containing goals, objectives, and specific actions. Public review of the draft
Action Plan was held during the winter, with over 75 agencies, organizations, and individuals offering comments
on the structure, content, and priorities of the Plan. In response to public comments, the Working Group revised
the draft Plan in March, 1991, before offering the final draft version to the Council at their July, 1991, meeting.

Priorities within the Plan

        Given an Action Plan of tremendous scope, covering issues from public health to habitat restoration, the
Working Group recognized the need to identify priorities among the many objectives in the Plan. Priorities were
based on an assessment of the immediacy of need, the likelihood of success, and the public awareness benefits of
the objective. Based on these, the Working Group came up with seven high priority objectives:


        * 'to iencourage gener in    appop          antimely monitori anoae tion toe       ion eCvironmtal and
        :resource managersand the generalf publicin order 't anallow; boath efficient and effectives management
 tt.-00000act  ion, evaluation, lu      a     s of suIh action 

       ::* tion assist in dheat e uction of himacts o point source polltion ont e Gulf of Maine

        Guf to facilitate We regional efforts to    assure proper  disposal b  ofderis and ivessel wastes witin the marine
  w    ennvirongment af fsof the  Gulf.'

 :  toevaluate existing awsand regulations re ating to Gulf natural resources  order to reduce disparities
        and improvem performance of thosenlaws and regulations. i

   p oi as'si  in timhemreduction ofimpctsofnon-pont source pollution ionthe Gulf   of  aine. 

        pr  theo 98promoAte the protection, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat within the Gulf    W
                 of~:                                                      . :i regon.
        * -to develop and implement a regional citizens" education and participaton program with the  tent of
   t;; tii 0invol~ng citizens in-locall resource management issues.


        Of these seven, the first four are highest in priority and are included in the Council's 1991/92 workplan.
The remaining three objectives and related actions will be addressed in the 92/93 and 93/94 Council workplans.
The thirteen objectives and related actions not started during the first three years will be undertaken in three-year
increments thereafter. The Plan as a whole will be reevaluated by 1994 - at that time its goals and objectives must
be reassessed, progress during the first three years evaluated, and review of identified priorities undertaken. It
is probable that, as existing state, provincial, federal and Council projects progress, new information will become
available to indicate where greater efforts or research should be directed.

Conclusion

        The Action Plan indicates the consensus of the states and provinces that the ecological integrity of the
Gulf of Maine supercedes other interests. The Plan should be considered representative of agreement - agree-
ment between governments and agencies and among states and provinces on the directions to be followed
and actions to be taken in the near future. Funding for particular actions will come from a multitude of
sources, some existing, some to be devised. Given myriad existing environmental programs, regulations, and
policies, Plan implementation will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The Gulf Council is responsible, as
per the 1989 Agreement, for reviewing progress on implementation of the actions in the Plan regularly and
reporting that progress to the governors and premiers. How the goals and objectives are achieved invariably
will depend on state, provincial and federal commitments; the key to the Action Plan is that all agree on the
goals and objectives they are striving for.


                                                       page 6




                                         GULF ACTION PLAN



                                ACTION PLAN MISSION STATEMENT

W TOMAINTAI-AND ENH'ANCE M ARIANE iENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY IN THE GULF OF MAINE AND TO
ALLOW FOR SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE USE BY EXISTING AND FUTURE GENERATIONS




Definitions:

GULF OF MAINE: land and water from Cape Sable to Cape Cod, including Georges Bank, the Bay of Fundy and
tidal estuaries

ACTION PLAN: a compilation of agreed-upon goals and objectives and a list of specific strategies or actions that
will achieve the objectives for each goal

GOAL: general statement describing what is to be achieved in the future. Goals reflect a consensual vision for
a specific or general resource.

OBJECTIVE: milestones that, as achieved, incrementally attain goals

ACTION: a specific activity undertaken to achieve the objective, which identifies lead agents and final products.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: use of resources that meets present needs without compromising continued
resource use by future generations

POLLUTANT: introduction by man, directly or indirectly, of substances or energy into the marine environment
which results in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine
activities including fishing, impairment of quality for use of sea water, and reduction of amenities (GESAMP,
1986)

CONTAMINANT: an addition to the marine environment that alters the marine environment but does not cause
measurable adverse effects (GESAMP, 1986)























                                                page 7




                                          GULF ACTION PLAN



Role of the Gulf of Maine Council with regard to the Action Plan

       The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment plays a crucial role in implementation of the Gulf
Action Plan. The Agreement on Conservation of the Marine Environment of the Gulf of Maine, signed in 1989 by the five
governors and premiers of the region, established the Gulf Council. Comprised of state and provincial agency
directors and ministers, the Council's mission is to discuss and act upon Gulf environmental issues of common
concern. As a link among the many state, provincial and federal agencies involved in Gulf management, the Gulf
Council will facilitate efforts by the five jurisdictions to maintain and enhance the health of the Gulf. Council
support will come in many forms including dissemination of scientific data, improved state, provincial and
federal communications, funding assistance, and heightened public awareness.

       With respect to the Action Plan, the Gulf Council's GOAL is: to develop interjurisdictional mechanisms
for resolving environmental problems within the Gulf region.

The Council will pursue this COAL by:

- supporting existing and future regional agreements on shared environmental issues of concern, including but
not limited to state/provincial oil spill contingency plans and scientific response plans, land-based to-kics
reduction plans, and regionally significant habitat protection plans;

- supporting regional efforts that facilitate the coordination of appropriate research initiatives in the region;

- encouraging compatible Gulf of Maine public education and participation initiatives in the region;

- supporting regional efforts toward improved coordination of marine and coastal management and enforcement 
programs; 

- supporting regional efforts to develop funding options for components of the Action Plan; and

- advising member governments of federal activities in the Gulf of Maine -of mutual interest.

       Actions which the Council takes in striving to achieve these objectives, based on the priorities of the Action
Plan, will be found in the Council's yearly work plan.


Format of the Action Plan

       There are three discrete categories of objectives within the Action Plan, based on identification of their
priority rating. Seven objectives have highest priority within the overall Plan. Four of those seven are to be
initiated during the 1991/92 fiscal year, and are included within the Council's annual work plan. Those four
objectives and the related actions are identified as 1991 Priorities. The remaining three highest priority objectives
are found within the Plan as 1991-92 Priorities.

       The next category of objectives covers the second tier of priorities, those planned for initiation in 1994-
1997. These objectives remain priorities but did not rank as highly as did the seven mentioned above. The final
category of objectives are those that will be tackled in the years 1997-2000. Generally, these objectives pertain to
related tasks begun earlier and so were not rated as highly as the previous two categories.

       The Action Plan will be evaluated and revised in 1994 by the Gulf Council. At that time categorization of
the objectives can be revised by the states and provinces. Thus, these initial priorities cannot be seen as fixed; they
reflect priorities as presently perceived by the Gulf Council.


                                                    Page 8




                                           GULF ACTION PLAN



        MONITORING AND RESEARCH                                  Ten objectives were established to meet the
                                                          three goals. A survey mailed to over 150 scientists,
Introduction                                              policy makers and environmental managers around
                                                          the Gulf determined the two highest priority monitor-
       The key to understanding the chemical, bio-       ing objectives:
logical, geological and physical processes of the Gulf of
Maine is research. Relevant research and monitoring               1. to assess the status and trends in the marine
programs will provide data and information necessary              environment by monitoring appropriate indi-
to predict the fate and effects of pollutants, as well as to      cators of change in environmental quality,
determine the efficacy of regulatory actions. Even with           especially those that will allow identification
the current level of research, we are only beginning to           of the early stages of change
delve into the complex natural systems of the Gulf.
                                                                  and
The Monitoring Environmental Quality Monitoring
Program                                                           2. to .assess the existing levels, the trends,
                                                                  sources, and economic impacts of acute and
       In 1988 and 1989, the three states received a             chronic risks to human health from toxic com-
federal grant to design a Marine Environmental Qual-              pounds transmitted through marine foods and
ity Monitoring Program for the Gulf of Maine. Repre-              water contact.
sentatives from state, provincial, and federal agencies
worked together to craft a plan that draws upon the
efforts of other existing monitoring programs in the              A final high priority issue that could not be
Gulf as well as presenting new monitoring initiatives.    categorized with actual monitoring activities was the
The mission of the Gulf of Maine Marine Environ-          goal of providing for the effective transfer of informa-
mental Quality Monitoring Program is to provide           tion to managers and the public. This goal, which was
environmental and resource managers with informa-         given high priority within the monitoring plan, was
tion to support sustainable use of the Gulf, and allow    also rated the highest priority objective of the Gulf
assessment and management of risk to public and           Action Plan.
environmental health from current and potential threats.

        Rather than include the text of the entire
Monitoring Program document here, a brief summary
of the program follows. A copy of the complete Gulf
Marine Environmental Quality Monitoring Program
may be obtained from the Gulf Council Secretariat
office. The Marine Environmental Quality Monitoring
Program has three broad goals. It will provide informa-
tion on the status, trends, and sources of risks to the
marine environment of the Gulf; provide information
on the status, trends, and sources of marine-based
human health risks in the Gulf; and provide appropri-
ate and timely information to environmental and re-
source managers that will allow both efficient and
effective management action and evaluation of such
action.













                                                    page 9




                                            GULF ACTION PLAN



RESEARCH, goal: to obtain and make available infor-
mation required by resource managers to sustain the      1994 priority
Gulf of Maine ecosystem                                   1.2  to establish protocols to standardize methodolo-
                                                            gies and create compatible Quality Assurance/Quality
Research Objectives:                                     Control agreements for monitoring of Gulf environ-
                                                            mental quality

                                                  ely~Z:I  :Actions
1.1- tornuae g enera                      ion o appropiae ani
Gulfienronm'e''i. in.orma .ionf.or managers and the      1.2.1 appropriate state, provincial and federal agen-
  general public in order 'to allow both efficientand    cies, and university research laboratories should nego-
'gen'al:'pulic in: e:~ :t:all:::   : bor t  b effi:c: a itd
effectivei management action iand - 0evaluation, "and Of to  tiate a system to assure high-quality, consistent data
                                                            with regard to Gulf scientific research
 ::  .::..::::i ::i iiii :.i?. ::  i:   i    ::.  ET:E::.::.S:-  ;ii i%:~::::i::: I : :::::   i id: !  IL: :  :  ::i: : ::
promote public awareness of suc actions

Actions                                                   1.2.2 university laboratories, state and provincial labo-
1.1.1 the Gulf Council will seek agreements among        ratories, and private contractors should develop Qual-
state, provincial and federal agencies to promote estab-  ity Assurance/Quality Control agreements that assure
lishment of a common database derived from current       consistent and compatible analytical results within the
research and monitoring programs in the Gulf of Maine    region

1.1.2 the Gulf Council, through its Data and Informa-
tion Management Committee, will determine methods        1997 poty
to ensure that Gulf environmental databases are com-     1.3  to coordinate approaches to marine research by
patible and will recommend a regional protocol for       federal, state and provincial agencies and among pri-
transfer of data and information throughout the region

1.1.3 the Gulf Council, through its Data and Informa-    Actions
tion Management Committee, will develop a Gulf sci-      1.3.1  a regional task force should be established to
ence and research index/directory that lists informa-    coordinate information on the impacts on the Gulf of
tion on current Gulf research activities, is geographi-  Maine coastline of projected sea level rise.
cally and thematically referenced, is accessible by
computer, is updally and thematedically refegularlyenced, and is accessvailable byto  1.3.2 state, provincial and federal agencies and private
computer, is updated regularly, and is available to
environmental managers and to scientists.                laboratories should develop an integrated research
                                                            program devoted to improved understanding of the
                                                            Gulf of Maine as a combined physical, chemical, and
                                                            biological system

                                                            1.3.3 the Gulf Council should work with the states,
                                                            provinces and appropriate federal agencies to articu-
                                                            late marine research priorities at multiple governmen-
                                                            tal levels in order to, among other things, structure
                                                            funding allocations, improve competitive status of
                                                            regional marine research proposals, and meet specific
                                                            management needs

                                                            1.3.4 the Gulf Council should work with state, provin-
                                                            cial, and federal agencies and universities to support
                                                            research projects on and develop funding sources for
                                                            the following topics:
                                                            a) accurate estimates of dose relationships of patho-
                                                            gens to humans and "allowable concentrations"
                                                            b) the role of sediments as reservoirs of pathogenic
                                                            microorganisms
                                                            c) the synergistic effects between pathogens and toxic
                                                            chemicals
                                                             d) methods that detect indigenous pathogens that are
                                                            not related to fecal contamination


                                                      'page 10




                                            GULF ACTION PLAN




1997 priority
1.4   to improve assessment of harvesting method
effects on Gulf of Maine productivity


Actions
1.4.1 federal, state and provincial agencies, Sea Grant
College programs and comparable university programs
in Canada should give high priority to research on the
effects of harvesting methods on Gulf productivity

1.4.2 state, provincial and federal agencies should
agree on specific research projects relating to harvest-
ing methods and develop a timetable for initiation of
projects













































                                                    pagel1




                                           GULF ACTION PLAN



     COASTAL AND MARINE POLLUTION                         2.0  Coastal and Marine Pollution, goal: to reduce
                                                          impacts from existing pollution sources and to prevent
Introduction                                              future environmental degradation of the Gulf of Maine

       Too often our view of the marine environment      Objectives:
takes form as a type of aquatic mirror: we most fre-
quently notice changes in water quality only as they      1991 :prori          i
effect our own lives. Yet, the Gulf of Maine is a natural  2.1.A to assist in the reduction of impacts of        source
resource over which we exercise stewardship, not          pollutioninthe Gulf
ownership. As stewards, we protect the marine envi-i i i
ronment of the Gulf without the demand that it provide
recreation, employment and food for us. Typically,        Actions
however, stewardship falls second to proprietary no-      2.1.1 the Gulf Council will work with state and provin-
tions when we view our environment. In fact, we           cial agencies and with NOAA, EPA and Environment
protect the Gulf's environmental quality primarily as a   Canada to develop an inventory of industrial and
means of ensuring the uses of the Gulf that we value.     municipal discharges and other sources of pollution
                                                          into the Gulf and its tidal rivers in order to develop
        Recent studies indicate that the Gulf of Maine,   regional knowledge of pollutant inputs to the Gulf. The
as a system of interrelated physical, chemical, biologi-  Gulf Council will then identify specific pollutants and
cal and geological features, is suffering. Samples show   pollutant sources for priority action.
that sediments in the deep offshore basins of the Gulf of
Maine contain low but unnatural concentrations of         2.1.2 the Gulf Council will develop a resolution that
toxins. Fish samples collected in specific sites by state,  highlights the pollutio -impacts evident from use of
provincial and federal agencies exhibit liver lesions, fin  combined sewer overflows in bordering states and
rot and other signs of environmental stress. Once infre-  provinces and establishes the Gulf Council members'
quent, toxic algae blooms in the Gulf are becoming        policy on curtailing construction of and mitigating
common events, distinguished from year to year only       impacts from combined sewer overflows.
by their magnitude and impact on marine organisms.
                                                          2.1.3 the Gulf Council member agencies will select   W
        Many forms of pollution flow into the Gulf of     specific marine areas degraded by point sources of
Maine. The Gulf has been spared the catastrophe of a      pollution within each jurisdiction and will implement
large oil spill however, the number of oil tankers trav-  appropriate demonstration projects in those areas; a re-
ersing the Gulf hints at the possibility of a large spill in  port on progress of the demonstration projects will be
the future. Of more immediate concern is the cumula-      made to the Council within two years.
tive effect of minor but numerous spills occurring
throughout the Gulf each year. A steady stream of
pesticides, pathogens, nutrients, petroleum hydrocar-
bons and trace metals enter the Gulf daily as point and
non-point source pollutants. Furthermore, the Gulf's
location "downwind" of the industrial states and prov-
inces results in the deposition of a variety of pollutants
from the air into Gulf waters.

        Clearly, one cannot take a blanket approach to
pollution control in such a large area. Strategies must
be developed at different geographic levels - at the
regional, national, state and provincial, watershed, and
community levels. The Coastal and Marine Pollution
section of this Plan represents agreement on some
regional responses to current water quality issues and
on methods to prevent future pollution of the Gulf's
coastal and marine waters.






                                                    page 12




                                                GULF ACTION PLAN




.    1992-93 priority                                           1992-93 priority
    2.2   to facilitate regional efforts to assure proper      2.4  to assist in the reduction of the impacts of non-
    disposal of marine debris and vessel wastes within the     point source pollution in the Gulf
    Gulf

    Actions                                                    Actions
    2.2.1 appropriate state, provincial, and federal agen-     2.4.1 state, provincial water pollution control agencies,
    cies should conduct a regional assessment of dockside      working with appropriate federal agencies, should
    waste and septage facilities and prepare a plan to         identify the sources of non-point source pollution to
    ensure adequate facilities                                 the Gulf and their respective contribution of pollutants;
                                                               pollution reduction targets should be devised and
    2.2.2 the Gulf Council should assist state, provincial,    implemented.
    and federal agencies, and community organizations to
    develop a program targeted at reducing fishing vessel      2.4.2 the Gulf Council should assist in evaluation of
    debris in Gulf waters, focused on fishing ports and        regional priority non-point source pollution research
    harbors                                                    needs and support specific regional projects

    2.2.3 the Gulf Council should work with vessel owner       2.4.3 the Gulf Council should assist state, provincial,
    organizations and shipping industry associations to        federal agencies and private organizations in conven-
    encourage accelerated compliance with MARPOL             .ing regional workshops to review and transfer infor-
    Annex V regulations in Gulf waters                         mzition regarding successful methods and programs
                                                               for the control of non-point source pollution.

    7992-93 priority                                           2.4.4 the Gulf Council should work with state and
    2.3   to encourage evaluation of existing laws and         provincial transportation departments to include Best
.    regulations relating to Gulf natural resources to reduce   Management Practices and Techniques in highway
    disparity and improve performance among states and         design standards in order to contain road runoff
    provinces
                                                               2.4.5 appropriate state and provincial agencies should
    Actions                                                    develop regulations that control runoff rates on devel-
    2.3.1 the Gulf Council should support a study evaluat-     oped land other than highways in order to reduce
    ing the federal, state and provincial laws and regula-     pollutant loadings to the Gulf contained in river or
    tions applicable to the Gulf of Maine with the intention   groundwater
    of identifying gaps among the laws and reviewing law
    enforcement practices and policies                         2.4.6 state, provincial and federal public health agen-
                                                               cies and appropriate environmental agencies, recog-
    2.3.2  the Gulf Council should encourage state and         nizing the fiscal and technical constraints upon the
    provincial agencies to issue a report in each state or     states and provinces, should promote maintenance of
    province, which pinpoints future, high-priority im-        individual sewage disposal systems; alternative sew-
    provements to Gulf-related laws and enforcement            age treatment methods should be investigated by the
    programs within that state or province                     agencies as a means of opening productive shellfish
                                                               beds to commercial harvesting















                                                         page 1




                                           GULF ACTION PLAN



1994 priority                                            1997 priority
2.5 to encourage federal agency cooperation/involve-     2.7  to support development of a regional strategy to
ment in state/provincial pollution control actions       minimize impact from disposal of contaminated mate-
                                                          rials at sea
Actions
2.5.1 the Gulf Council will assist states and provinces  Actions
in working with appropriate federal agencies to estab-   2.7.1 the state and provincial environmental agencies,
lish compatible standards for marinewater and sedi-      in cooperation with appropriate US and Canadian
ment quality in the Gulf region                          federal agencies, should form an ad hoc work group to
                                                          identify common dredging issues, including antici-
2.5.2 state, provincial and federal governments should   pated frequency of dredging activity, projected vol-
periodically review the use of Best Management Prac-     ume of dredged material, composition of the material,
tices and Techniques at all major federal facilities lo-  estimates of pollution loadings from current and antici-
cated on the Gulf perimeter in order to control and      pated dredged material disposal, and evaluation of
abate point and non-point source pollution inputs to     possible contaminant testing protocols
the Gulf of Maine
                                                          2.7.2 the Gulf Council should requent state, provincial
2.5.3 the Gulf Council will support efforts by Environ-  and federal agencies to convene regional workshops
mentCanadaand the Environmental Protection Agency        every two years for the purpose of information ex-
to develop compatible standards for high priority pol-   change, identification of disposal problems in the Gulf,
lutants in the Gulf region                               and discussion of cooperative efforts toward solutions.



7997 priority
2.6  to ensure the better prevention of and prompt
response to the impacts of environmental catastrophes

Actions
2.6.1 state and provincial hazardous materials agencies
should review individual oil spill contingency plans to
devise methods for improved cooperation at local and
regional levels

2.6.2 marine industries, universities, and state, provin-
cial, and federal agencies should cooperatively de-
velop a marine catastrophe scientific assessment and
monitoring plan which details, at a minimum, priority
actions and personnel requirements

2.6.3  the Gulf Council should request the US and
Canadian Coast Guards to conduct review of marine
transport of hazardous materials, including river and
harbor transport, and shipping and shoreside handling
processes, in order to assess potential risks and identify
improvements

2.6.4 the Gulf Council should request the U.S. and
Canadian Coast Guards to initiate a study that exam-
ines the merits and estimated costs of developing a
coordinated vessel tracking system for the Gulf of
Maine





                                                    page 14




                                            GULF ACTION PLAN



             HABITAT PROTECTION                            3.0' Habitat Protection, goal: to foster an integrated
                                                           approach to protection and sustainable use of Gulf of
Introduction                                               Maine habitats

        The waters and lands of the Gulf of Maine are      Objectives:
inextricably woven into the lives of residents of the
surrounding states and provinces. The perimeter of the     '991: rinoay
Gulf features a variety of habitats, from rocky coasts to  3.:i  to Su: :pport the protection, restoration, and en-
expansive salt marshes. Churned by tides and currents,     hancement of' fish and wildlife habitats
Gulf waters support a bounty of commercially and
recreationally valuable finfish and shellfish species      Actions
which, for centuries, have sustained the communities       3.1.1 the Gulf Council, through its member agencies,
along the Gulf's shores.                                   will encourage federal, state, and provincial agencies
                                                           and private organizations, to initiate a multi-phased
        The estuaries of the Gulf act as pathways to       project which focuses on the protection, restoration,
inland waters for migratory fish, such as alewife and      and enhancement of regionally significant habitats
Atlantic salmon, and as nurseries for other fish species.
The extensive intertidal flats associated with estuaries           In its first phase, the project will identify exist-
support tremendous shellfish and worm populations,         ing regionally significant habitats and prepare a report
'harvested for generations by recreational and commer-     for the Gulf Council indicating the types of habitats
cial fishermen. Offshore submerged banks and ledges        existing and existing management programs.
are also places of high productivity. The offshore wa-
ters provide feeding grounds for several species of                In its second phase, the project will identify
whales during the summer and fall months, including        those areas not included in current management pro-
the endangered northern right whale. Flocks of migra-      grams and develop compatible standards for the defi-
tory birds settle on Gulf waters and wetlands each         nition of lost or degraded regionally significant habi-
spring and fall as they follow their seasonal path along   tats.
the eastern seaboard.
                                                                   Initsfinal phase, the project will develop guide-
        Whether our interests lie in recreational shell-   lines, suitable for state, provincial, and federal use, on
fishing, real estate sales, or commercial fishing, the     long-term management and restoration of degraded
health of the Gulf's natural resources affects us eco-     regionally significant habitats and implement rehabili-
nomically. The state, provinces and federal govern-        tation or protection projects based on those guidelines
ments are beginning to address the issue of sustainable    in each state or province.
development of resources through such initiatives as
the Canadian Green Plan, the provincial Round Tables
on Environment and Economy, and the New England
Governors-Eastern Canadian Premiers' Environment
Committee. To assure the continued sustainable devel-
opment of our resources, coordinated steps must be
taken now.

        The problem of overharvesting of the Gulf's
fisheries resources is a growing issue, and one cur-
rently under debate in American and Canadian fo-
rums. There are years of expertise institutionalized in
the federal and regional fisheries agencies; it would be
presumptuous for the Council or this Action Plan to
recomend specific actions to them. For now the ques-
tion of fisheries management and its effects on the Gulf
system must be left to existing institutions.







                                                     page 15.




                                           GULF ACTION PLAN




1994 priority                                            ongoing priority
3.2 to support a systematic approach to the identifica-  3.3  to improve communication among state, provin-
tion, classification and protection of coastal and marine  cial and federal agencies, marine interest groups, and
habitats of regional concern                             environmental organizations about existing manage-
                                                          ment strategies for specific marine resources
Actions
3.2.1  the federal, state and provincial wildlife and    Actions
marine resource agencies, and private organizations      3.3.1  the Gulf Council will work with appropriate
should consolidate existing information on fish and      organizations to convene a regular conference for state,
wildlife habitats of the Gulf of Maine in a regional form  provincial and federal managers, environmental or-
                                                          ganizations, and marine interest groups to review
3.2.2 federal, state and provincial agencies and private  common problems and management policies for spe-
organizations should cooperate in the development of     cific coastal and marine resources
a common habitat-mapping system, suitable to the
needs of the states and provinces                        3.3.2 the Gulf Council should request that appropriate
                                                          state and provincial agencies and federal agencies meet
3.2.3 the Gulf Council should request that appropriate    to discuss compatible standards regarding site selec-
state and provincial agencies review the findings of the  tion and water quality impacts from aquaculture busi-
UN Regional Seas Program and the UN Man and              nesses in order to support environmentally appropri-
Biosphere Program on the management of Large Ma-          ate ventures
rine Ecosystems; the agencies and the Council should
issue position papers-for the Governors and Premiers
on a proposed Biosphere Reserve within the Gulf of
Maine

3.2.4 state, provincial, and federal agencies should
meet with private organizations to discuss regulatory
programs pertaining to coastal and marine habitats
and to jointly propose specific actions for enhanced
protection of regionally signficant coastal and marine
habitats

3.2.5 state, provincial, and federal marine resource and
environmental agencies should identify and propose
sites for nomination as marine special areas in order to
conserve marine habitats in accordance with the Cana-
dian Green Plan and the U.S. Marine Protection, Re-
search, and Sanctuaries Act

3.2.6 the Gulf Council should request that state, provin-
cial and federal agencies, private organizations work
cooperatively to establish a joint Gulf Marine Mam-
mals Protection plan, in order to set priorities for the
protection of habitat critical to marine mammals














                                                     page 16




                                            GULF ACTION PLAN



      EDUCATION AND PARTICIPATION                         4.0 Education and Participation, goal: to cultivate a
                                                           sense of stewardship among the citizens of the Gulf
Introduction                                               region and to enable them to make responsible deci-
        The Gulf of Maine has an enormous water-           sions regarding Gulf of Maine resource use
shed. The activities of more than three million people
living within the two countries ultimately affect the      Objectives:
environmental quality of the Gulf of Maine. All the
admonitions, regulations and legislation in the world      I991 p:on'r  :: ~ '       :..: :  Z:::':  i: :  : :: r  :io: rity
will not protect the Gulf unless the three million resi-   4.1"':'" to:tdevelop and implement a regiona 'citizens'
dents and the millions of visitors to the region become    education and parti'ipation program with the intent of
aware that their day-to-day activities affect the Gulf.    involving citizens in local Gulf resource' management
The foundation of that awareness is education.             issues.

        A strong education program detailing the ef-       Actions
fects that human activities have upon the health of the
Gulf must accomplish two tasks. First, it must enable      4.1.1 in order to cultivate a sense of stewardship among
individuals, whether they live on the coast or along the   the citizens of the Gulf region and to foster responsible
upper stretches of a river that empties into the Gulf, to  decision making regarding use of the Gulf's resources,
see themselves as residents of a particular, though vast,  the Gulf Council will establish a standing education
watershed. Secondly, it must engender a sense of ste-      and participation commitee to guide implementation
wardship toward the Gulf and the will to act within        of a regional education and participation program.
individuals of all ages and economic status.
                                                           4.1.2 the Gulf Council, in cooperation with other re-
        Education fuels participation. All too often,      gional organizations, will develop a Gulf of Maine per-
our response to important environmental issues such        sonnel exchange program for Gulf Council member
as ozone depletion or contaminated groundwater is          agencies, in order to share expertise in the fields of
fatalistic resignation in the face of a technically complex  coastal and ocean management.
problem. Residents of the Gulf of Maine watershed
must be encouraged to actively participate at the local
or regional level in the decisions that will affect the Gulf  on going priority
today and in future years. Furthermore, they ust be        4.2   to create educational materials on the Gulf of
given real power to take action in their locality, without  Maine for a variety of user groups, including the gen-
being forced to wait for the slow attention of state or    eral public, elected officials, and the media
provincial government to turn their way. This involve-
ment can occur through groups such as watershed            Actions
associations or citizen monitoring programs. The fol-      4.2.1  the Gulf Council should produce a regional
lowing Education and Participation goals and objec-        resource guide to Gulf-related organizations
tives illustrate the varied efforts that can be made to
inform sectors of the public about the Gulf and their      4.2.2 the Gulf Council should request that state and
role in maintaining its health.                            provincial Tourism Offices display Gulf educational
                                                           materials at appropriate locations

                                                           4.2.3 the Gulf Council should produce a non-technical
                                                            "State of the Gulf" report every three years that notes
                                                            environmental trends in the Gulf

                                                           4.2.4 Sea Grant programs in the three states should
                                                            incorporate specific Gulf of Maine educational actions
                                                            into the next long-term Sea Grant program plan drafted
                                                            after adoption of this Plan

                                                           4.2.5 appropriate private and public agencies and
                                                            organizations should distribute interdisciplinary Gulf
                                                           of Maine educational materials for grades K-12, for the
                                                            use of educators throughout the region



                                                     page 17



                                             GULF ACTION PLAN



4.2.6 the Gulf Council should create and distribute a
Gulf of Maine slideshow and/or documentary that          ongong            of Gulf-related issues
informs the public about the Gulf, the environmental     4.4  to improve understanding of Gulf-related issues
stresses upon it, and options for sustaining its re-     by specific sectors of the public
sources
                                                            Actions
4.2.7  the Gulf Council should request appropriate       4.4.1 the Gulf Council should work with appropriate
private and public agencies and organizations to ex-     state, provincial, and federal agencies to create educa-
pand  Gulf education programs in existing non-aca-       tional materials directed at potential marine waste
demic settings, such as summer camps, Boy or Girl        producers (such as recreational boaters, tourists, mer-
scout programs, or 4-H programs                          chant marine, commercial fishing vessels) for inclusion
                                                            in respective licenses or permits
4.2.8 the Gulf Council should assist appropriate pri-
                                                            4.4.2 the Gulf Council should work with the US Na-
vate organizations and public agencies in development     tional Park Service and Parks Canada to publish a
of on-the-water educational programs for teachersand      tional Park Service and Parks Canada to publish a
of on-the-water educationalts                   and      guide to the Gulf coast, which will offer visitors infor-
                                                            mation on the botanic, geologic, biologic, and oceano-
                                                            graphic features of the Gulf region
ongoing priority
4.3  to foster communication among the scientific        4.4.3 the Gulf Council should work with appropriate
                                                            institutions, such as the Canadian American Studies
                                                            Center or the Quebec-Labrador Foundation, to expand
Actions                                                   Canadian/US fellowship programs, in order to allow
                                                            students and academicians to teach or conduct re-
4.3.1 universities, in cooperation with the state and     s    tud ents and academicians to teach or   c onduct re-
provincial environmental agencies, should encourage      search in the states or provinces
a sound understanding of environmental sciences by
a         sound und erstanding of environmental   msciences by  4.4.4 the Gulf Council should work with the state Sea
the media through specific educational programs, in      Grant College Programs, state and provincial educa-
order to promote accurate writing about the sciences     Grant College Programs, state and provincial Estuarine
                                                            tion departments, and the regional National Estuarine
4.3.2  the Gulf Council should compile a roster of       Reserves to support a marine teachers/docents pro-
scientists who are willing and able to speak articulately  gram for the region to bring marine sciences into public
about Gulf science issues to elected officials and the   schools in order to improve regional knowledge of
media to improve public understanding of current         marine topics
Gulf research

4.3.3 the Gulf Council should request the Governors'
and Premiers' offices to sponsor Gulf educational events
for legislators within the state or provincial capitals in
order to promote an informed perspective on the Gulf
within the legislatures

4.3.4 the Gulf Council should work with public agen-
cies and private organizations to establish a program
that places elected officials and the media on scientific
research vessels for short periods of time in order to
foster a practical understanding of the natural proc-
esses of the Gulf











                                                      page 18




                                               GULF ACTION PLAN




 ongoing priority
   4.5  to actively support public participation in coastal
   resource management issues at the local level

   Actions

   4.5.1 the Gulf Council should encourage citizen volun-
   teer programs, in conjunction with existing education
   or research organizations, to involve the public in local
   stewardship and water quality protection
   (for monitoring programs, state must use the volun-
   teers data; need more technical support from the state,
   p. 56)

   4.5.2 appropriate state, provincial and federal agen-
   cies, through their non-point source pollution control
   programs, should identifymethods to work with public
   and private entities to create a multi-media education
   program on non-point source pollution effects and
   controls for homeowners throughout the region

   4.5.3 the Gulf Council should request the Governors'
   and Premiers' offices to investigate the feasibility of
   establishing a transboundary Coastal Conservation
   Corps which would provide technical and construc-
   tion assistance to towns for coastal improvements (i.e.
   NPS projects, beach clean ups, fishway construction,
   public access maintenance) and job-training for mem-
   bers






























                                                    ';  page 19




                                           GULF ACTION PLAN



       PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH                        5.0 Protection of Public Health, goal: to minimize
                                                          public health risks from use of Gulf of Maine natural
Introduction,                                             resourcesW

       The uses that we make of the Gulf of Maine are    Objective:
many. We depend on Gulf water and natural resources
to fulfill industrial, commercial and recreational needs.  1997 priority
Yet general confidence in the safety of Gulf waters and   5.1  to support development of an integrated public
natural resources seems to be diminishing. Increasing     health protection strategy related to human uses of the
acreages of shellfish beds, closed due to pollution,      Gulf of Maine
raises public fears concerning the quality of all shell-
fish. Similarly, studies indicating high levels of toxic  Actions
contaminants in Casco Bay or Boston Harbor taint the      5.1.1 the Gulf Council will work with federal, state and
public perception of all seafood. Incidents of marine     provincial agencies to improve the interaction of public
debris on beaches or closure of public swimming areas     health monitoring activities and management activi-
due to poor water quality further harm the public         ties'
perception of the quality of the Gulf of Maine.
                                                          5.1.2 state, provincial, and federal public health agen-
        The solution to this dilemna, however, is not to  cies should evaluate existing programs and develop
minimize testing of the water and natural resources, or   new programs for monitoring and predicting offshore
to cloud the results in language confusing to the public.  marine biotoxin events
The human health risks from Gulf resources and water
must be accurately assessed, using a variety of meth-     5.1.3 appropriate state, provincial and federal agencies
ods. The public perception of the quality of Gulf re-     should evaluate existing and developing monitoring
sources must be firmly linked to the actual conditions.   techniques for Gulf waters and shellfish habitat and
It is imperative that coordinated strategies for im-      determine the possibility of compatible regional tech-
proved testing and monitoring programs be developed       niques
by state, provincial and federal agencies, for the eco-
nomic and, to some extent, cultural life of the Gulf      5.1.4 appropriate state, provincial and federal agencies  W
coastal communities depends upon public consump-          should produce reports that recommend methods for
tion of the Gulf's many resources.                        more accurate and/or expanded monitoring of patho-
                                                          gens, biotoxins and other contaminants in Gulf waters
                                                          and habitats to minimize human health risks

                                                          5.1.5 the Gulf Council should encourage the U.S. Food
                                                          and Drug Administration and the Canadian Health
                                                          Protection Branch and with the Interstate Shellfish
                                                          Sanitation Conference to promote adoption of more
                                                          meaningful indicators than the fecal coliform bacteria
                                                          standard used to assess human health risks from shell-
                                                          fish consumption.


















                                                    page 20








                              TIME LINE FOR ACTION PLAN OBJECTIVES




    1991-92                        1992-93                         1993-94

    4 highest priority objectives   3 next highest priority ob-    no objectives initiated
                                   jectives
     1.1 generation of informa-                                    begin reevaluation of
    tion                           2.3 evaluation of existing      Action Plan
    2.1 point source reduction     laws
    3.1 protection, restoration,   2.4 non-point source
    enhancement of habitat         reduction
    4.1 public education and       2.2 marine debris
    participation




     1994-95                        1995-96                         1996-97

    3 next highest priority ob-    no objectives initiated         begin reevaluation of
    jectives                                                       Action Plan

1.2 QA/QC agreements re:
    ~nnitoring
     2.5 federal cooperation
     with state/provincial
     actions
    3.2 identification, classifica-
     tion, protection of regional
     habitats



                                                                                                ongoing priority
     1997-98                        1999-99                         2000                           objectives

    4 next highest priority        no objectives initiated         begin reevaluation of          3.3 improve communica-
     objectives                                                     Action Plan                    tion on management of
                                                                                                marine resources
     1.3 coordinate marine                                                                         4.2 create educational
     research activities                                                                           materials
     1.4 harvesting method                                                                         4.3 foster communication
     effects                                                                                       among scientists, media,
    2.6 prevention and response                                                                   officials
     to environmental catastro-                                                                    4.4 improve understanding
     phes                                                                                          of Gulf issues
    2.7 minimize impact from                                                                      4.5 support public partici-
                                                                                                pation at local level

















                THE GULF OF MAINE WORKING GROUP MEMBERS








NOVA SCOTIA                                          FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES

Peter Underwood                                      Environmental Protection Agency
Department of the Environment
                                                  Rosemary Monahan
Arthur Longard                                       Region I
Department of Fisheries

                                                  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NEW BRUNSWICK
                                                  John Pearce
Bill Ayers                                           Northeast Fisheries Center
Department of the Environment
                                                  Don Scavia
Barry Jones                                          Coastal Ocean Program
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture

                                                  Environment Canada
MAINE
                                                  Wayne Barchard and Alan McIver
David Keeley                                         Marine Assessment Division
Maine Coastal Program

James Bernard                                        Department of Fisheries and Oceans
State Planning Office
                                                  H. Brian Nicholls and Andre Ducharme
                                                  Bedford Institute of Oceanography
NEW HAMPSHIRE

David Hartman
New Hampshire Coastal Program


MASSACHUSETTS

Patricia Hughes
Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Office










 Draft Action Plan Reviewers




    New Brunswick                                              Nova Scotia

    Janice Harvey, Hunstman Marine Science Center and the      Daniel N. Paul, Executive Director, Confederacy of Main-
    Conservation Council of New Brunswick Coastal Conver-    land Micmacs
    gence Project Coordinator
                                                                Raymond Cote, Associate Director, Dalhousie School for
    David Coon, Policy Director, Conservation Council of New   Resource and Environmental Studies, Co-director, Marine
    Brunswick                                                  Affairs Program

    Lee Sochasky, St. Croix International Waterway Commission Ishbel Butler, The Maritime Fishermen's Union
    Director
                                                                Ian Christie Clark, President, Nova Scotia College of Art
    Mary Majka, Environmental Council of New Brunswick         and Design

    Inka Milewski, Montreal, Quebec (formerly with Huntsman  Jack MacIsaac, Department of Mines and Energy, Office of
    Marine Science Center)                                     the Minister

    Steven Backman, Aquaculture veterinarian, Moore-Clark Co. Gordon Gillis, Department of Municipal Affairs

Edith Miller, Sackville                                        Ken Streatch, Department of Small Business Development

    Muhammad Arif, Department of Municipal Affairs, Land    Blenis J. Nicholson, Department of Education
    Use Planning Office
                                                                Donald P. MacInnes, Department of Transportation and
    J.E. Henri Legare, Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Communications, Office of the Minister
    Fisheries and Aquaculture
                                                                J.M. MacLennan, Department of Advanced Education and
    John Kershaw, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture,    Job Training
    Aquaculture Office
                                                                John Murphy, Senior Advisor, Board of Commissioners of
    Maine                                                      Public Utilities

    David Stevenson, Department of Marine Resources Labora-  D.F. Trivett, Department of Consumer Affairs
    tory
                                                                M.J.A. Butler, C.B. Fay, P.J. Hartling, C. LeBlanc, A.N.
    Brian Marcotte, Director, Bureau of Marine Sciences, Depart- Montgomery, on behalf of the Council of Maritime Pre-
    ment of Marine Resources                                   miers and the Land Registration and Information Service

    Walter Anderson, Maine Geological Survey                   Derek Davis, Nova Scotia Museum Complex, Department
                                                                of Education
    John Sowles, Department of Environmental Protection
                                                                John K. Underwood, Environmental Quality Control
    Charles Whimore, Maine State Conservationist               Manager, Nova Scotia Power

    Esperanza Stanicoff, University of Maine Cooperative       Peter Butler, Council on Higher Education
*_                                                             xtension
                                                                M.R. Lester, Director, Emergency Measures Organization


















R. Clifton Thomson, Chairman, Fisheries Sector, Voluntary       Chris Mooers, University of New Hampshire
Planning
                                                                Kirk Stone, Environmental Affairs Director, New Hampshire
H. W. Doane, President and Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront    Audubon Society
Development Corp. Ltd.
                                                                Thomas Orfe, Chief Harbormaster, New Hampshire Port Author-
Brigitte Neumann, Director, Women's Directorate                 ity

John MacGregor, Sector Coordinator, Environment and Economy,  Massachusetts
Voluntary Planning
                                                                Karen Steuer, Center for Coastal Studies
B. E. Rogers, Liquor Commission
                                                                Steve Halterman, Water Pollution Control Division, Department
Margaret Swan, Literacy Nova Scotia                             of Environmental Quality

David J. C. Waterbury, Chairman, Criminal Injuries Compensation  Richard Gallo, Masschusetts State Conservationist
Board
                                                                Federal Agencies
Martin H. Bushell, Public Trustee                               Canada
                                                                Canada

Duff Montgomerie, Executive Director, Sport and Recreation
Duff Montgomerie, Executive Director, Sport and Recreation      Neil A. Bellefontaine, Regional Director General Scotia-Fundy
Commission
                                                                Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Shirley Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer, Environmental       David J. Scarrett, Benthic Fisheries and Aquaculture
Control Council                                                 Division, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

New Hampshire                                                   K.C. Curren, Regional Director General, Canadian Coast
                                                                Guard, Maritimes
Julie Mawson, New Hamsphire Sea Grant Marine Advisory           Guard, Maritimes
Service Extension Specialist and Program Director, Odione       United States
Estuarine Reserve
                                                                Philip R. Harris, Colonel, Army Corps of Engineers, Planning
Robert Varney, Commissioner, Department of Environmental        Directorate
Services
                                                                Thomas Bigford, Chief, Habitat and Protected Resources
Frank Richardson, Wetlands Bureau, New Hampshire Coastal        Division, National Marine Fisheries Service
                                                                Division, National Marine Fisheries Service
Program
                                                                William Hartwig, Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service
John R. Bush, Wastewater Engineering Bureau

Richard Flanders, Jr., Water Supply and Pollution Control Divi-    Other
sion, Department of Environmental Services
                                                                Jack Sobel, Director, Habitat Conservation, Center for Marine
Paul Raiche, Environmental Sanitation Program, Division of      Conservation, Washington, DC
Public Health Services

Donald Normandeau, Executive Director, Fish and Game Depart-
ment












                                        AGREEMENT ON

                   CONSERVATION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

                                  OF THE GULF OF MAINE

                                            BETWEEN

  *    THE GO VERNMENTS OF THE B ORDERING STA TES AND PRO VINCES



              The Governments of Maine, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, Nova
       Scotia, as Parties to this Agreement and;

              Considering that the shoreline, seabed, waters and associated natural resources of the
       Gulf of Maine region, including Georges Bank and the Bay of Fundy, constitute precious
O      ~~public natural resources shared by the contiguous States and Provinces and;

              Considering that the natural resources of the Gulf of Maine are interconnected and
       form part of an overall ecosystem that transcends political boundaries and;

              Considering that the sustai nable development and use of these resources for
       recreational and aesthetic enjoyment activities as well as fish and wildlife habitat is
       dependent on the ecological integrity of the Gulf ecosystem and;

              Considering that the planning and management of human activities which may affect
       the Gulf ecosystem should recognize and be based upon an understanding of the systems'
       integrity and;

              Considering that the Parties to this agreement recognize a shared duty to protect and
       conserve the renewable and non-renewable resources of the Gulf for the use, benefit and
       enjoyment of all their citizens, including generations yet to come and;

              Considering that the most effective means of protecting, conserving and managing0
       the region's resources is through the cooperative pursuit of consistent policies, initiatives
       and programs and;

              Considering that studies conducted by National, State and Provincial governments
       and other agencies have found that, without prudent management, the future development
* ~~and use of the Gulf resources may have significant adverse impacts on the environment,
       economy, and general welfare of the Parties and have agreed to the following:






 1.     The Parties agree to establish a Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment
        to discuss and act upon environmental issues of common concern including but not
        limited to:

               the protection and conservation of the ecological balance within the Gulf of
               Maine ecosystem;

               the problem of marine debris and medical waste;

               the relationship between land use and the marine environment;

               the sustainable use of resources within the Gulf of Maine;

               cooperative programs to better protect and conserve the Gulf's natural
               resources.

 2.     The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment will be composed of two
        representatives from each of the Gulf of Maine States and Provinces to be appointed
        by their respective Governors and Premiers within 60 days of the effective date of
        this Agreement..

 3.     The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment will produce its first annual
        report on environmental trends and conditions including specific recommendations
        on a Gulf of Maine Action Plan within 15 months of its appointment.

 4.     The Parties agree to minimize actions that would result in degradation of
        environmental quality or depletion of resources that individually or cumulatively
        could result in significant adverse impacts on resources leading to loss of sustainable
        use or environmental viability.

 5.     The Parties agree to design and develop a coordinated monitoring program to
        provide improved information for future decisions concerning the Gulf.

 6.     The Parties agree that the successful conservation of Gulf resources will require the
        development of additional agreements or protocols on specific issues or concerns
        that may be raised from time to time.


 SIGNATURES:



 oorallel ohn.   R. McKetan, Jr.                      nodable John M. Buchanan
     ernor, Maine                                     mier, Nova Scotia



         ble J ddM  reg                            Honourable Frank McKenna
             ew--Iam  ir                           Premier, New Brunswick



/  6norable Micl er'S. Dukakis
Governor, Masbc/husetts