Mid-Atlantic

The Rhode Island/Massachusetts offshore wind block consists of 7 leases south of Martha’s Vineyard, southeast of the existing turbines of the Block Island Wind Farm. Learn more about the specific leased areas by visiting BOEM’s Atlantic Fishing Industry page. Complementary to the federal leasing process, many states have their own requirements. Several states’ energy or fisheries offices have organized fisheries working groups to better understand concerns of their fishermen. Existing fisheries working groups:

  • New Hampshire Offshore Wind Task Force;
  • New York Fisheries Technical Working Group;
  • New Jersey Offshore Wind Environmental Resources Working Group; and
  • Virginia Office of Offshore Wind/Master Plan Working Group.

Relevant Documents:

New Jersey Offshore Wind Strategic Plan
New Jersey BPU Solicitation #2 Draft Guidance Document - Section 10: Fisheries Protection Plan
New Jersey Offshore Wind Transmission Information Gathering
Letter to Dominion Energy on behalf of Virginia Pot Fishermen
Check out Save Our Shoreline NJ

WIND ARRAY VESSEL TRANSIT

Safe transit for mariners through wind energy areas is a key issue for fishermen with regard to offshore wind development in the U.S. Currently, the regulatory process does not require any specific project design conditions to allow fishermen to safely transit through wind energy areas on the way from ports to traditional fishing grounds. This is a critical shortcoming in the federal planning and review process. RODA is striving to address this issue and ensure our fishing fleets’ safety at sea.

Learn more about RODA’s work on safe transit for fishing vessels here:

Mid- Atlantic Transit Considerations & New York Bight Wind Energy Area Transit Lane Development