Recreational Fishing Wind Farm Workshop

Do you have questions or concerns about wind farms and recreational fishing?

(Dec 5, 2021) … I encourage recreational anglers to attend this online meeting and ask those questions. I asked if this is open to the public. It is and the meeting will focus primarily on recreational fishing. This is one of seven of these virtual meetings. About ten years ago or so we went to the first MARCOS meeting by BOEM and I am glad I did. Ever since then we have been in the loop so to speak on all the wind farm and offshore projects in the Atlantic Ocean. Paying attention keeps you informed. To this day most don’t realize MARCOS is just an information gathering group and by attending meetings you can give them the information they are looking for. Gaps in fishery information get lost in the shuffle, or ignored and it is usually the recreational sector that isn’t paying attention.

“The meeting is open to the public but we want to keep the focus on questions/feedback from recreational fishermen at this meeting… Brian Hooker ”

You are invited to a virtual workshop to share your insight as we develop guidance for preparing plans and environmental reviews for offshore wind projects that will help avoid, minimize or mitigate potential impacts on commercial and recreational fisheries and fishing.  The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is hosting seven sector-specific workshops across the country.  

Recreational Fishing Workshop 
Tuesday, December 7th 
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET  
Registration: https://kearnswest.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtf-CrrjMvHNXk3phbZF2ZgRO8OE5Obb6N 

The meetings will offer an opportunity to learn about the purpose and intent of the guidance and themes in the 2014 document Development of Mitigation Measures to Address Potential Use Conflicts between Commercial Wind Energy Lessees/Grantees and Commercial Fishermen on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf that inform this scoping. It’s also a chance to share your thoughts and discuss issues that could help us as we develop the draft guidance. We’ll also provide information on how to submit written comments.  
 

More information can be found at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/fishing-industry-communication-and-engagement. This website contains the draft meeting agenda, the formal Request for Information, information on how to comment, and other supporting documentation.   

Thank you for your participation and we look forward to talking with you. Brian R. Hooker
Lead Biologist
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Office of Renewable Energy Programs

A few links for factual information.

Video Of The Block Island Wind Turbine Fishing

Factual Wind Farm Information That Everyone Should Read

This Is What The Wind Farms Will Look Like From The Delaware Beaches