Indicators of Ecological, Economic, Social and Governance Change

The ultimate aim of ocean management decision making is a positive influence on marine-dependent economies, societies and the ecosystems that support them. The only way to gauge the effectiveness of a management plan [decision/decision making process] is to measure outcomes. In collaboration with our Partners, we are developing sets of “indicators” designed to measure key ecosystem, economic and policy parameters and effectively communicate progress to stakeholders, managers and policy makers. Indicators help ecosystem-based management adapt to changing circumstances by informing decisions made at every level of the process.



Indicators of Ecological, Economic, Social and Governance Change
*prior to 2011, SeaPlan operated under the name “Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP)”

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MA Ocean Plan Indicators

Develop a set of indicators to measure the effectiveness of MA Ocean Plan implementation

Indicators Selected; Additional work In Progress

MOP, EEA, UMB – UHI & EEOS, NOAA CSC, US EPA, MWRA, GoME Council – ESIP

Regional Indicators Coordination

Improve collaboration among northeast regional indicator initiatives

In Progress

MOP; COMPASS; NROC, NERACOOS, MA EEA, NOAA, US EPA, UMB (UHI & EEOS), USM (southern Maine), GoME Council (ESIP), Canada DFO

Ecosystem Service Indicators

Synthesize select measures to develop innovative ways of communicating and visualizing ecological and socioeconomic status and trends  and of illustrating and articulating the linkage between human well being and ecosystem productivity/resilience

In Progress

MOP, EEA, UMB (UHI & EEOS)