First U.S. Offshore Wind Developer Acts on Fishing Gear

By MarEx 2018-07-16 02:00:56

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U.S. offshore wind developer Deepwater Wind has adopted a first-of-its-kind procedure                             designed to prevent impacts to commercial fishing gear from its activities.

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Deepwater Wind’s Block Island Wind Farm is America’s first offshore wind farm, and                                   the company  is currently in active development on utility-scale wind farms to serve                               Rhode Island, Connecticut,New York, New Jersey and Maryland.

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The procedure was developed in close coordination with the commercial fishing industry                             and is based off extensive feedback from fishermen in ports up and down the Atlantic coast.                       Deepwater Wind believes that keeping fishermen informed is the key to preventing damage                      to fishing gear.“We know that offshore wind and all other ocean users can coexist –                                    we see that happening every day at the Block Island Wind Farm. We are committed to                               working with           the commercial fishing industry and ironing out our differences.                                     We want to be good neighbors out there,”said Deepwater Wind CEO Jeffrey Grybowski.                     “We’re taking this important step  because it’s  the right thing to do.”

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The procedure’s key focus is on providing frequent updates on offshore activities to                                 fishermen, via Deepwater Wind fisheries liaisons and a team of fisheries representatives                    based in regional ports, as well as through online updates for mariners and twice-daily                            updates on VHF channels.

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While Deepwater Wind expects there will be only limited impacts on fishing gear from                      offshore wind activities, the company has included a process for gear-loss/damage claims                  should  they occur.

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“The issue of gear loss has come up consistently from the commercial fishing industry in the                 context of offshore wind development,” said New Bedford Port Authority Executive Director                        Ed Anthes-Washburn. “We appreciate Deepwater Wind for listening to those concerns and                  developing a transparent process for dealing with this important issue as offshore wind farms                  are developed. Mitigating conflict through open communications with the fishing industry is                         an important step as this new industry takes root off the coast of New England.”

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“The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association is grateful for the dedication of Deepwater                           Wind  toward the commercial fishing industry by creating an avenue online to easily report                       gear conflicts,  ”said Beth Casoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s                 Association (MLA). “We are hopeful these won’t be needed and with the multiple notices to                 mariners and ads in the MLA newspaper, our members are actively engaged in the                                    development of offshore wind  in Southern New England.”

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Deepwater Wind employs a 50-year veteran commercial fisherman as its liaison to the East                       Coast fishing fleet, as well as fisheries representatives in the fishing ports of New Bedford,                         Point Judith and Montauk. The company’s website posts daily bulletins for mariners with                        project information and notice of any vessels or construction activities at-sea.

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Block Island Wind Farm

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Located approximately three miles south east of Block Island, Rhode Island, the Block Island                    Wind Farm consists of five, six megawatt offshore wind turbines, a submarine cable                   connecting   the turbines, and a submarine cable from the northernmost turbine to an                       interconnection point  on Block Island. The construction of the five turbines and the                    transmission cables was  completed in 2016.

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Skipjack Wind Farm

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The Skipjack Wind Farm is an offshore wind farm planned for federal waters off the coast of               Delaware and Maryland. It will consist of wind turbines, an offshore substation, and subsea               transmission system to shore. Marine survey activities are scheduled to begin in                                  Summer 2018.Marine construction is planned to start in 2022.

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South Fork Wind Farm The South Fork Wind Farm is a planned offshore wind farm located                    30 miles east of Montauk that will consist of approximately 15 wind turbines and a subsea                       transmission system that will deliver energy to East Hampton,NY.Marine survey activities are                scheduled to begin in Summer 2017.Marine construction is planned to start 2021

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source: www.maritime-executive.com

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