SALEM – Mayor Dominick Pangallo has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to join the Massachusetts Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC), an 18-member body that guides the state’s efforts to protect and manage its ocean resources.
“Salem’s history and identity are deeply tied to the ocean,” said Mayor Pangallo. “From our earliest days as a fishing community through the Great Age of Sail to today serving as a hub for recreation, maritime commerce and transportation, and clean energy, the sea is and always has been central to who we are in Salem. We’ve always looked to the ocean for both opportunity and shared responsibility. I’m honored to bring Salem’s experiences and perspectives, as well as those of other coastal communities, to the OAC and its critically important work.”
Through his leadership in Salem Mayor Pangallo has prioritized coastal resilience, the maritime economy, and ocean stewardship. As founder of the Massachusetts Coastal Communities Alliance and a member of Climate Mayors, he has made Salem a leader in planning for rising seas and stronger storms. Mayor Pangallo is a member of the Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council and the Salem Harbor Port Authority, and has been a strong advocate for the growth of offshore wind, recreational and passenger boating, including the City’s municipally-owned Ferry, and maritime commerce generally.
“My goal is to ensure that Salem’s voice – as a historic seaport and forward-looking coastal community – will be a key part in shaping the Commonwealth’s ocean policies for the future,” Pangallo continued, “I’m grateful to Governor Healey for this appointment and look forward to getting to work!”
About the Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC)
Pursuant to the Oceans Act of 2008, the Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC) provides guidance, assistance, and recommendations to the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs in the development and implementation of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. First released in 2009, the Ocean Management Plan serves as a blueprint for the protection and sustainable use of state ocean waters, protecting critical marine habitat and important water-dependent uses, and establishing a management framework and siting standards for new ocean-based development. The 18-member OAC includes State Legislators, state agency heads, and representatives of commercial fishing, environmental non-profits, renewable energy, and the six coastal Regional Planning Agencies, including the Metropolitan Area Planning Council.
