Created as part of the 2018 Environmental Bond Bill, the
commission will work on developing policies to respond to the adverse effects
of coastal and ocean acidification on commercially-important fisheries and the state’s
aquaculture industry.
“Representative Muratore has been an active member of the
Ocean Advisory Commission, working closely with Secretary of Energy and
Environmental Affairs Matthew Beaton to develop the state’s ocean management
plan,” said Representative Jones. “He
will be a perfect fit on this new commission as it works to address the
environmental impact of ocean acidification on the state’s fishing industry.”
“Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is being absorbed
into our oceans and lowering PH levels below normal,” Representative Muratore
said. “Understanding how this impacts
both humans and marine life is important and I am honored to be appointed to
serve on this commission.”
Representative Muratore is one of eight legislators serving
on the 19-member commission, which is being chaired by State Representative
Smitty Pignatelli (D-Lenox) and State Senator Anne Gobi (D-Spencer), who also
serve as co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and
Agriculture. Other state environmental
officials serving on the commission include Director of Marine Fisheries Dr.
David Pierce; Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Martin
Suuberg; and Director of Coastal Zone Management Bruce Carlisle.
Governor Charlie Baker will be appointing the remaining 8
members of the commission. His
appointees will include two representatives of an environmental or community
group; three scientists who have studied coastal or ocean acidification; and
three commercial fishermen, including one who holds a shellfish aquaculture
license, one who holds a commercial fisherman lobster permit, and one who holds
a commercial fisherman shellfish permit.
In addition to reviewing relevant scientific literature and studies
related to coastal and ocean acidification, the commission will conduct a
series of public hearings and coordinate with the Northeast Coastal
Acidification Network and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators to
prevent any duplication of effort. The
commission is scheduled to file a report on its findings and recommendations by
December 31, 2018.
Representative Muratore represents the First Plymouth District. He currently serves as the ranking minority
member of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development; the
assistant ranking minority member of the Joint Committee on Health CareFinancing; and a member of the Joint Committee on State Administration andRegulatory Oversight.
