The New York State DEC and Department of State are inviting the public to help shape the future of New York’s Ocean Action Plan during a special side meeting scheduled for June 8 at Stony Brook University. The session will take place during the 2026 State of the Science on Offshore Energy, Wildlife, and Fisheries conference and is open to anyone interested in providing feedback on the next 10-year planning cycle.
Originally launched in 2017, New York’s Ocean Action Plan was developed to guide management decisions for offshore and estuarine habitats using the best available science while balancing environmental, commercial and recreational interests. With the current plan set to conclude in 2027, state officials are now evaluating progress and identifying future priorities for the next decade.
Topics expected to be discussed during the public session include changing offshore energy policies, emerging industries such as deep-sea mining and carbon capture, and ways to improve regional monitoring and data collection efforts. Officials say the meeting will focus on maintaining ecological health, promoting sustainable growth, improving coastal resilience and strengthening public stewardship of New York’s marine resources.
The meeting is free to attend and does not require registration for the larger conference. Officials encourage anglers, boaters, conservation groups and other ocean stakeholders to participate in the discussion as planning begins for the next phase of New York’s Ocean Action Plan.
