About

Sea Commons is a group of concerned Cape Ann citizens interested in promoting a regional dialogue and public forum about the future of our Seas, the last public commons. The U.S. government has been quietly laying plans to sell off one of the few remaining public commons – the ocean’s continental shelf to the energy and aquaculture industry sectors. High on most environmental wish lists is the desire to establish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a system of off-limits preserves throughout the oceans where most activities would be prohibited. If key environmental lobbyists can be assured that they will get to lock up certain crown jewels, the privatization of the rest of the ocean commons may be the price they are willing to pay to get MPAs.

Read more about ocean privatization here.