RODA-Pacific members regularly work together to proactively promote engagement of fishing industries in the state and federal processes, as well as with potential offshore wind developers. While development on the west coast is further behind that on the east coast, is it of paramount importance that robust spatial baseline data and strong fishing input be gathered before leases are granted.
BOEM has identified Call Areas off of the Northern and Central Coast of California and additional “study areas” off of Oregon for possible offshore wind (OSW) development. These areas have not been finalized and BOEM and relevant state agencies are currently working under their processes to further refine the potential lease areas. Offshore wind on the west coast requires floating wind turbines because of the outer continental shelf depth.
RODA has submitted comments on considerations for OSW development off of California to the California Energy Commission on behalf of its Pacific members in Sept 2020.
As with other BOEM Intergovernmental Task Forces, there is no opportunity for fishing industry representatives to participate on the Task Force. RODA-Pacific members worked with staff to prepare a letter identifying concerns and requests from the impacted industry members.
