Regional Ocean Partnerships (ROPs) are regional organizations voluntarily convened by the governors in collaboration with other governments and stakeholders to address ocean and coastal issues of common concern in that region.
Regional Ocean Partnerships have operated for two decades through many state and federal administrations and were formally authorized by Congress in 2022. The authorization language specifically calls on ROPs to serve as “intergovernmental coordinators for shared regional priorities.”
Objectives
Regional Ocean Partnerships strengthen state and regional approaches to address complex ocean and coastal issues by:
Focusing on issues that are priorities for each region
Integrating expert feedback from industry, science, and regional partners into ocean and coastal decisions
Sustaining intentional, efficient coordination and collaboration at the regional scale
Leveraging public and private funding to accomplish common objectives
Advancing solutions, reducing duplication, and fostering communication
Authorized Regional Ocean Partnerships
Regional Ocean Partnerships were formally authorized by Congress in 2022 and are supported under the NOAA Office for Coastal Management. The designated Regional Ocean Partnerships are:
Partnerships may apply for designation as a ROP if they meet the conditions established in the Regional Ocean Partnership Act. The partnership must be established to coordinate the management of ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources; focus on environmental issues affecting its members; complement existing efforts; not have a regulatory function; and not duplicate an existing Regional Ocean Partnership.
Community Benefits at a Regional Scale
Each Regional Ocean Partnership has a vetted work plan and strategies that reflect issues and priorities for their region. This ensures activities are centered around the unique needs of their regional members.
All ROPs implement projects that address their priorities and benefit from a regional approach such as coastal community resilience, data to inform natural resource management decisions and research planning, habitat and wildlife conservation, marine debris, and enhanced regional capacity.
