The Responsible Offshore Development Alliance
We are a broad membership-based coalition of fishing industry associations and fishing companies with an interest in improving the compatibility of new offshore development with their businesses.
Our approach is to directly collaborate with relevant regulatory agencies (e.g., National Marine Fisheries Service, Bureau of Ocean Energy management, U.S. Coast Guard, fishery management councils, and state agencies), offshore developers, science experts, and others to coordinate science and policy approaches to managing development of the Outer Continental Shelf in a way that minimizes conflicts with existing traditional and historical fishing.
On March 25, 2019 RODA executed a ten-year Memorandum of Understanding with the National Marine Fisheries Service and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to collaborate on the science and process of offshore wind energy development on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf [link]. RODA will use this MoU to work with both agencies and more broadly to ensure that local and regional fishing interests are involved early and often throughout offshore wind development processes, and that the interests and concerns of commercial fishermen are communicated as effectively as possible.
Background
Proposals for, and interest in, new development of the U.S. offshore environment are increasing at an extraordinary pace. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has leased 16 sites in New England and Mid-Atlantic for offshore wind energy facilities, with additional sites proposed in the Atlantic and Pacific. Further leasing is underway for sand and gravel extraction, offshore aquaculture, and other uses. Because these activities often directly conflict with traditional and historic fishing practices, decision processes could be significantly improved with regard to effectively engaging fishing communities and considering the needs of the commercial fishing industry. Permitting authorities must thoroughly consider advice from the industry, NMFS, state fishery management agencies, and the regional fishery management councils, and pay greater attention to the scientific research necessary to properly plan, site, operate, and mitigate such projects.
The June 2018 Executive Order (EO) revising the National Ocean Policy calls for increasing ocean-related collaboration and modernizing science, while highlighting the importance of fisheries resources to food security and the national economy. RODA formed in the same month with the following goals, which have direct relevance to the EO’s approach:
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Provide a unified voice regarding issues of mutual interest to the commercial fishing industry, related to the siting and operations of new and proposed offshore developments, in order to promote seafood sustainability;
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Act as a bridge between developers and fishermen to mandate, design, and implement a fair, equitable, and effective fisheries mitigation framework addressing potential direct and indirect fisheries impacts;
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Coordinate among existing local, project-specific, and state advisory groups to streamline advice and minimize duplication of effort, and increase awareness of the need for improved interagency coordination on matters related to ocean planning and development;
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Work to achieve adequate funding for scientific research to inform leasing processes, support mitigation programs, and guide future offshore development planning; and
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Serve as clearinghouse of scientific information and project updates for a better-informed industry and to communicate with Fishery Management Councils regarding industry needs and concerns.
Scientific Research and Monitoring
RODA works to increase collaborative research and monitoring in order to: (1) improve overall understanding regarding siting and operations of new offshore activities; (2) support mitigation requirements in terms of informing and minimizing impacts to users and resources, including development of standardized mitigation frameworks; and (3) inform agency decision-making and industry engagement through existing consultative processes.
RODA is working to design and implement new models for persistent, long-term, holistic, and collaborative research programs that effectively gather and communicate fishery-dependent and -independent data and expertise. It is approaching this through two channels: facilitating grassroots, fishing industry-driven efforts to enhance fishermen’s ability to effectively bring their own expertise to the table, and—separately but relatedly—working in partnership with regulators and other ocean use proponents to ensure that fishermen are fully included in appropriate efforts to assess interactions between fisheries stocks and new ocean use and development. To develop the best long-range solutions to offshore development, fishermen’s knowledge must be directly included in study identification, prioritization, design, and execution of well-coordinated scientific research at the proper geographic scales.
CONTACT US
Terry Alexander
Terry has been a Maine fisherman for over 40 years. After fishing with his father as a youngster, he became a full-time deckhand onboard a trawler at age 16 and was hired as a fishing boat captain at 22. Terry purchased his own boat in 1990 and later had the 62-foot trawler Jocka built to his specifications. The Jocka fishes for groundfish in the winter in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank, and in the summer it fishes for squid from Nantucket to waters south of New York. Terry also owns the Rachel T that has the ability to use trawl gear to harvest northern shrimp. The Rachel T gillnets for groundfish in the late summer and winter and it fishes for monkfish in waters off Rhode Island and New York in the spring and early summer. Terry has engaged in a significant amount of cooperative research on both the Rachel T and the Jocka, from Nordmore grate work in the northern shrimp fishery to the industry-based cod survey for the State of Massachusetts in the Gulf of Maine.
Katie Almeida
Katie is the Fishery Policy Analyst for the Town Dock located in Point Judith, Rhode Island. The Town Dock is the largest supplier of calamari in the United States. They own seven otter trawl vessels that fish for longfin squid, illex squid, whiting, butterfish, fluke, scup, black sea bass, herring, and a mix of groundfish. Katie is responsible for following all state and federal regulations that pertain to the species on which the Town Dock relies. She also sits on the following Advisory Panels: Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish, Fluke/Scup/Black Sea Bass, River Herring/Shad, and Small Mesh Multispecies, as well as the New Bedford working group for Wind Industry Issues and the Rhode Island Industry Advisory Committee.
Bonnie Brady
Bonnie began as the Executive Director of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association (LICFA) in 2000, after working as a reporter, paramedic, DC Hill staffer, and Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroun. LICFA represents commercial fishermen of all gear types throughout Long Island. She lives in Montauk, New York’s largest commercial fishing port, with her commercial fisherman husband, Dave Aripotch, and their two daughters
Tom Dameron
Tom is the founder of Overboard Solutions, a safety management platform for the commercial fishing industry scheduled for launch in 2019. He has been involved in the Atlantic surfclam/ocean quahog industries since starting as a deckhand in 1983 with the American Original Corporation and working his way up to captain. After earning his USCG 1600-ton Master’s License and fishing a couple of catcher/processor vessels in the Bering Sea, Tom became interested in safety management within the fishing industry and is a long-time USCG Commercial Fishery Safety Advisory Committee member. Since 2009, after 29 years at sea, Tom has helped manage the Surfside Foods fleet of clam vessels and more recently became a Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Advisory Panel member. Tom was involved in the establishment of the New Bedford’s Fishermen Safety Training Program; was project manager for the major modification of the F/V Christi-Caroline; and has contributed in stock assessment gear design at the federal and state levels. Tom’s current projects include final development of the safety management platform, the protection of essential fish habitat, and ensuring the responsible development of offshore energy and aquaculture resources.
Greg DiDomenico
Greg is the Executive Director of the Garden State Seafood Association (GSSA). In this role, he attends Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meetings in order to evaluate changes to the Fishery Management Plans under the authority of these regulatory bodies. He is responsible for submitting written comments and giving public testimony on behalf of GSSA’s New Jersey seafood industry members. He represents the association to the New Jersey State Delegation as well as to U.S. Federal Delegations. This requires frequent communication and the development of a sound working relationship with legislative staff. In addition he tracks state and federal legislation and follow the actions of relevant committees. His experience within the management process, combined with his understanding of the everyday operations of many fisheries, has given him a thorough understanding of all aspects of fisheries management.
Jarrett Drake
Growing up on the ocean in Mattapoisett and then Marion, MA Jarrett has been fishing, quahogging, oystering and lobstering as long as he can remember. After attending Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) for electrical engineering, Jarrett worked in a cubical fixing computers for Servonics Corp. That only lasted a year, until he decided to go back to fishing because the money and views were much better!
Currently, he owns and operates the 42 foot F/V Cynthia Lee, and the 48 foot F/V Encourager. Jarrett has a U.S. Coast Guard Masters, up to 100 gross tons Near Coastal Captain’s license with over 32,000 logged hours. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Lobster Foundation of Massachusetts and is involved in many research grant projects for the MA Division of Marine Fisheries, Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation, University of MA Dartmouth SMAST, and the University of Maryland. He is also the Vice President, Delegate, and Executive Committee member of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, has been appointed to the Area 2 Lobster Conservation Management Team, and is a member of BOEM’s Fisheries Working Group on Offshore Renewable Energy.
Eric Hansen
Eric is the owner of the scallop vessel F/V Endeavor based out of New Bedford, MA. He has a total of 40 years of experience in the scallop industry, starting as a deckhand in 1978 and working his way up to captain and then owner. He served as a scallop vessel captain for 28 years. Eric is a Board member of the Fisheries Survival Fund and a member of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Scallop and Monkfish Advisory Panels. He is also a Massachusetts Fisheries Institute (MFI) Industry Advisor, and member of the University of Massachusetts’ School for Marine Science and Technology’s Fishermen’s Steering Committee, the MA Fisherman’s Working Group on Offshore Wind Energy, and the New Bedford Port Authority’s Working Group on Offshore Wind Development.
Dewey Hemilright
Dewey is the owner/operator of the 42-foot F/V Tarbaby with his homeport in Wanchese, NC. He has been commercial fishing for 24 years off the East Coast, ranging from New York to Florida and has a wide range of fisheries experience. He has served on advisory panels for Highly Migratory Species (National Marine Fisheries Service), Dolphin-Wahoo (South Atlantic Fishery Management Council) and as chairman of the N.C. Spiny Dogfish Compliance Advisory Panel. Dewey holds permits and fishes for tuna, swordfish, dolphin-wahoo, bluefish, spiny dogfish, smooth dogfish, croakers, blueline tilefish, golden tilefish and large coastal sharks. He has also been active in an outreach program for K- 12 students across the country for the past seven years through Provider Pals. His presentation showcases an array of photos from his years on the water, and summarizes a day in the life of a commercial fisherman, encouraging students to consider the logistics and challenges that are involved with operating a fishing vessel for a living. Dewey has recently expanded his outreach program by partnering with the N.C. Coastal Federation, sharing his lesson with over 400 middle school students living on the coast of North Carolina.
Peter Hughes
Chairman
Located in Cape May, New Jersey, Peter is the Director of Sustainability for Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. After commercial fishing for squid and mackerel on the East Coast, Peter started working for Atlantic Capes Fisheries in 1990. Peter is currently a voting member of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the liaison to the New England Fishery Management Council, helping them facilitate policy and the responsible stewardship of our nation’s oceans. Peter is also a Board member of the Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCeMFiS), a National Science Foundation recognized Science Center. “Maintaining the sustainability of our living marine resources through the use of the best available science is an essential goal and one I will continue to strive to achieve.” Peter and his wife Gwen are raising two children in Stone Harbor, NJ where they have lived for over 30 years.
Meghan Lapp
Meghan is the fisheries liaison for Seafreeze Ltd., the largest producer and trader of sea-frozen seafood on the U.S. East Coast. Seafreeze operates two freezer trawlers out of North Kingstown, RI, that harvest species such as squid, mackerel, butterfish and herring. Meghan is a member of the New England Fishery Management Council’s Herring and Habitat Advisory Panels, a member of the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Advisory Panel and Ecosystems and Ocean Planning Advisory Panel, and a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Menhaden Advisory Panel.
Eric Reid
Treasurer
As an active member of the fishing community in all fisheries in the Mid-Atlantic and New England for over 40 years, Eric has developed extensive knowledge of both fishing operations and shoreside infrastructure. He has personal experience both on board fishing vessels and managing shoreside operations from New Jersey to Maine. Eric is currently serving his second term as a New England Fishery Management Council member from Rhode Island, serves as the liaison to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and is also a commissioner to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (legislative proxy) and the commercial fisheries commissioner to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. Eric is currently employed by Seafreeze Shoreside, Inc. a large wholesaler/processor of a wide variety of seafood located in Narragansett, RI.
Mary Beth Tooley
Mary Beth represented the State of Maine as an at-large member of the New England Fishery Management Council from 2008-2017. She is currently the government relations representative for the O’Hara Corporation of Rockland, ME, a family-owned company with diverse fisheries interest from the North Atlantic to the Bering Sea. Mary Beth also is the former executive director of the East Coast Pelagic Association. Additionally, she is a principal in the Marine Resources Education Project, a federally-funded fisheries education and outreach effort organized in partnership with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. The project provides fishermen with the necessary tools to understand and participate in the region’s scientific and management processes. She serves as an industry advisor to the Gulf of Maine Research Institute and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Annie Hawkins
Executive Director
Annie is professionally dedicated to improving ocean resource management through advocacy and regulatory initiatives. Prior to joining RODA, she provided government relations support to a variety of fishing industry and ocean technology clients with a Washington, D.C. law firm. She previously held positions in fisheries management and marine regulation including at the New England Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s Large Marine Ecosystems program. Throughout her career she has specialized in working with public and private sector partners to develop practical, science-based solutions to business, policy, and environmental challenges.
Annie holds Juris Doctor and Master of Marine Affairs degrees from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Conservation Biology and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin.
Please contact Annie by email: annie@rodafisheries.org
Lane Johnston
Programs Manager
Lane is interested in bridging the conversation between marine policy, scientific research, and ocean resource users. As RODA’s policy fellow, she helps improve communication of the ongoing status of offshore development projects to RODA members and works to collate input from the fishing industry to inform RODA’s focal areas.
Lane recently graduated from University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy with a M.S. in Marine Biology. Originally from the West Coast, Lane received her Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies from University of Southern California.
Please contact Lane by email – lane@rodafisheries.org
FIONA HOGAN, PHD
RESEARCH DIRECTOR
As RODA’s Research Director, Fiona will be the point of contact for any grants RODA is working on. Prior to joining RODA, she worked at the New England Fishery Management Council.
Fiona completed her Ph.D. at SMAST and Master of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts Intercampus Marine Science Graduate Program and a B.A. in Zoology from Trinity College, Dublin.
Please contact Fiona by email: fiona@rodafisheries.org
ERIKA TILLOTSON
ADMINISTRATOR
As RODA’s Administrator, Erika Tillotson will be the point of contact for invoicing and accounting.
Erika graduated from the University of Maryland Global College with a M.S. in Marketing Management and received a B.A. in Communications from Salisbury University.
Please contact Erika by email: erika@rodafisheries.org
MEMBERSHIP PHILOSOPHY
RODA membership is open to any individual or business with a direct interest in the commercial fishing industry. Our members range from small single vessel owner/operators, to community and regional fishing associations, to some of the largest seafood processors and fishing fleets in the U.S. Unsurprisingly, our members hold a broad range of beliefs and business models. This diversity of opinion and experience is what fuels our “strength-in-numbers” approach to preserving biologically and economically sustainable fisheries.
RODA actively endorses only those positions that are common amongst commercial fishing industry participants, and it offers a platform for gathering and communicating input from a broad range of fishery representatives when multiple viewpoints exist. It will never advocate for the interests of one fishing group over another nor ask members to refrain from expressing opinions on their own behalf.
We warmly welcome any person or business affiliated with the fishing industry that shares these principles and vision to join our coalition, and look forward to a productive partnership.
Current Membership Roster
Fishing Vessels
State
Homeport
F/V Furious
CT
Stonington
F/V Invictus
CT
Stonington
F/V Regulus
CT
Stonington
F/V Starbrite
CT
Stonington
F/V Jocka
MA
Boston
F/V Enterprise
MA
Fairhaven
F/V Lauren
MA
Fairhaven
F/V Lori Ann
MA
Fairhaven
F/V Madison III
MA
Fairhaven
F/V Mandy Lynn
MA
Fairhaven
F/V Silver Fox
MA
Fairhaven
F/V Ambition
MA
New Bedford
F/V Arcturus
MA
New Bedford
F/V Buzzards Bay
MA
New Bedford
F/V Endeavor
MA
New Bedford
F/V ESS Pursuit
MA
New Bedford
F/V Expectation
MA
New Bedford
F/V Fisherman
MA
New Bedford
F/V Fjord
MA
New Bedford
F/V Friendship
MA
New Bedford
F/V Frontier
MA
New Bedford
F/V Generation
MA
New Bedford
F/V Horizon
MA
New Bedford
F/V Maelstrom
MA
New Bedford
F/V Misty Dawn
MA
New Bedford
F/V Monomoy
MA
New Bedford
F/V Nashira
MA
New Bedford
F/V Neskone
MA
New Bedford
F/V Nordic Pride
MA
New Bedford
F/V Norseman
MA
New Bedford
F/V Orion
MA
New Bedford
F/V Perception
MA
New Bedford
F/V Polaris
MA
New Bedford
F/V Pyxis
MA
New Bedford
F/V Ranger
MA
New Bedford
F/V Reflection
MA
New Bedford
F/V Reliance
MA
New Bedford
F/V Resolution
MA
New Bedford
F/V Rose Marie
MA
New Bedford
F/V Rost
MA
New Bedford
F/V Sao Marcos II
MA
New Bedford
F/V Sao Paulo
MA
New Bedford
F/V Sea Watcher I
MA
New Bedford
F/V Settler
MA
New Bedford
F/V Timberline
MA
New Bedford
F/V Tradition
MA
New Bedford
F/V Weatherly
MA
New Bedford
F/V Wisdom
MA
New Bedford
F/V Odessa
MA
Plymouth
F/V Rolex
MA
Provincetown
F/V Mystic
MA
Scituate
F/V Sirius
MA
Scituate
F/V Challenger
MA
Gloucester
F/V Endeavor
MA
Gloucester
F/V Betty C
MD
Ocean City
F/V Rachel T
ME
Portland
F/V Araho
ME
Rockland
F/V Tarbaby
NC
Wanchese
F/V Capt. Frank
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Catherine Elizabeth
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Christi-Caroline
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Christy
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Jersey Girl
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V John N
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Mary M
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Ocean Pearl
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Roberta Lee
NJ
Atlantic City
F/V Adventuress
NJ
Cape May
F/V Amy Marie
NJ
Cape May
F/V Anticipation
NJ
Cape May
F/V Anya Jo
NJ
Cape May
F/V Atlantic Bounty
NJ
Cape May
F/V Atlantic Girl
NJ
Cape May
F/V Barbara Anne
NJ
Cape May
F/V Brianna Louise
NJ
Cape May
F/V Capt Bob
NJ
Cape May
F/V Elise G
NJ
Cape May
F/V Enterprise
NJ
Cape May
F/V Eva Marie
NJ
Cape May
F/V Evening Star
NJ
Cape May
F/V Francis M Lee
NJ
Cape May
F/V Golden Nuggett
NJ
Cape May
F/V Jersey Cape
NJ
Cape May
F/V Jersey Girl
NJ
Cape May
F/V Karina
NJ
Cape May
F/V Lady Evelyn
NJ
Cape May
F/V Lady Roslyn
NJ
Cape May
F/V Miss Sue Ann
NJ
Cape May
F/V Nancy Elizabeth
NJ
Cape May
F/V Norreen Marie
NJ
Cape May
F/V Pontos
NJ
Cape May
F/V Retriever
NJ
Cape May
F/V Silver Sea
NJ
Cape May
F/V Thunder Bay
NJ
Cape May
F/V Travis & Natalie
NJ
Cape May
F/V Big Bob
NJ
Point Pleasant
F/V Melissa K
NJ
Point Pleasant
F/V Northern K
NJ
Point Pleasant
F/V Caitlin & Mairead
NY
Montauk
F/V Gabby G
NY
Montauk
F/V Megan Marie
NY
Montauk
F/V Persistence
RI
Davisville
F/V Relentless
RI
Davisville
F/V Asher & Ariana
RI
Narragansett
F/V Determination
RI
Point Judith
F/V Evan Christine
RI
Point Judith
F/V Excalibur
RI
Point Judith
F/V Heritage
RI
Point Judith
F/V Hope & Sydney
RI
Point Judith
F/V Lightning Bay
RI
Point Judith
F/V Mattie & Maren
RI
Point Judith
F/V Prevail
RI
Point Judith
F/V Rebecca Mary
RI
Point Judith
F/V Sea Breeze Too
RI
Point Judith
F/V Stephanie Bryan
RI
Point Judith
F/V Tenacity
RI
Point Judith
F/V Tradition
RI
Point Judith
F/V Defiant
RI
Point Judith
F/V Bald Eagle II
VA
Suffolk
F/V Capt. Malc
VA
Suffolk
F/V Frank & Maria
VA
Suffolk
F/V Good News II
VA
Suffolk
F/V Miss Maude
VA
Suffolk
F/V Sassy Sarah
VA
Suffolk
F/V U-Boys
VA
Suffolk
F/V Vickie II
VA
Suffolk
Businesses
State
Empire Fisheries
CT
Fishing Partnership Support Services
MA
New Bedford Ship Supply Co.
MA
Nordic Fisheries
MA
Sea Watch International, Ltd.
MD
O'Hara Corporation
ME
South Jersey Surfclam Fleet
NJ
Atlantic Capes Seafood
NJ
Bumble Bee Foods
NJ
Lund's Fisheries
NJ
Surfside Foods, LLC
NJ
Viking Village, Inc.
NJ
Seafreeze Ltd.
RI
The Town Dock
RI
Wanchese Fish Company
VA
Associations
State
Northeast Fishery Sector XIII
MA
Massachusetts Lobstermen's Association
MA
American Scallop Association
MA
Northeast Fishery Sector X
MA
North Carolina Fisheries Association
NC
Garden State Seafood Association
NJ
Long Island Commercial Fishing Association
NY
Commercial Fisheries Center of RI
RI
Atlantic Offshore Lobstermen's Association
RI