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Coastal business owner supports Mid-Atlantic Ocean Plan

June 27, 2016

I’ll put this simply: without a clean, safe and healthy ocean in Delaware, we wouldn’t be in business. That’s why our customers come to the shore. Because of this fact, we are always concerned about the next threat to our tourism-dependent business, be it climate change, oil drilling, wind farms or pollution.

But how can we stay informed on all of these issues and proposed offshore projects? How can we make our voice heard? Small tourism and recreation business owners like us don’t have the time to monitor all of these issues. Luckily, a new ocean planning body seeks to become a one-stop shop for us to make sure our oceans stay healthy and our businesses sound.

I’m referring to one of the major initiatives of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Planning Body, a group consisting of state, federal and tribal representatives that have authority in the ocean. Under this particular initiative, when a project like an offshore wind farm is proposed, the relevant government agencies, project proposers and stakeholders will be brought together as soon as possible to begin hashing out their differences.

In 2010, the RPB was charged by President Obama’s National Ocean Policy to create a plan to better manage ocean resources - as well as the human uses that rely on those resources, like fishing, surfing, boating, diving and beach going. The RPB released their draft Ocean Action Plan this week, kicking off a 45-day public comment period.

There is a lot at stake in Delaware. The local tourism and recreation industry supports almost 19,000 jobs per year, and is worth $580 million annually in GDP. Our coastal communities can’t risk this economic dynamo with poor ocean management decisions, like the recent decision to open up the Mid-Atlantic to offshore oil drilling (Luckily, that decision was overturned after coastal communities raised objections).

A less recent, but powerful example of poor ocean management decisions was the New Jersey medical waste debacle in the late 1980s. Who doesn’t remember the photos of hypodermic syringes washing onto beaches? Those horrific photos resulted from poor management of an oceanfront waste facility. Through better data, increased communication and more collaboration, ocean planning through the RPB can help avoid situations like that into the future.

The RPB is working on solving other issues too, like ocean acidification, ocean trash and ocean recreation, so join the process and bring up your issue. To comment, attend one of the five listening sessions hosted by the RPB in July, including a session at the University of Delaware’s Virden Retreat Center in Lewes Wednesday, July 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. People wishing to comment online can go to www.midatlanticocean.org/youroceanplan and follow the instructions.

An old saying goes, “If you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu.” Take this opportunity to speak your mind and protect the largest economic driver in coastal Delaware: a tourism and recreation industry built on a healthy, clean and safe ocean.

 Janis Markopoulos is owner of Delmarva Board Sports in Rehoboth Beach.

  • Cape Gazette commentaries are written by readers whose occupations, education, community positions or demonstrated focus in particular areas offer an opportunity to expand our readership's understanding or awareness of issues of interest.

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