With planning by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for offshore wind energy development in the Gulf of Maine moving forward, the Maine Department of Marine Resources is surveying highly migratory species (HMS) permit holders to gather information that could help minimize the impact of wind energy development on fishing.
There currently exists a large data gap regarding the use of habitat by HMS permit holders and how that might overlap with the siting of offshore wind energy developments.
Follow this link to complete the survey.
The aim of this survey is to compile fishermen-driven data along with other information to characterize the fishing effort for HMS. Data from this survey will be developed into a report which will be used by the State of Maine as a basis for comments on offshore wind energy development applications. The report will also made available to other stakeholders for use in determining and minimizing impacts to HMS fisheries. The deadline for completing this survey is February 24, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST.
If you know of an HMS permit holder who should take this survey, please forward this notice to them.
For more information, contact matthew.m.davis@maine.gov
The On The Water staff is made up of experienced anglers from across the Northeast who fish local waters year-round. The team brings firsthand, on-the-water experience and regional knowledge to coverage of Northeast fisheries, techniques, seasonal patterns, regulations, and conservation.
If we don’t have a planet to enjoy our fishing than what else is there for us to enjoy? Let’s focus on the safety of our planet 1st than worry about our rec fishing. I hear what you’re saying but let’s do what’s right for the planet.
With all the whales and dolphins washing up on east end beaches this year.
You would think someone would have a clue as to what is making them beach them selves. Get rid of the off shore wind farms now. It’s messing with their natural guidance system.
Put a windmill on your property and we fix that issue.
I believed we need to do some extensive research be fore continuing with the wind farms. Once the damage is done then its too late.
I do offshore fishing for giant tuna, where obstacles in the water are a major factor when a fish is hooked and runs up to a half mile away. Any contact with lines or cables is likely to result in a lost fish that may not recover and may be hauling a lot of my line around with it, it is likely to die. I try to fish unobstructed water but these structures may become fish attractors so the temptation to fish near them is always present. That is where the tuna’s food is going to be.
It doesn’t matter NOAA gives most of the Bluefin tuna to southern New England
I recently read the conservation group Oceana’s comments to NOAA regrading Revolution Wind LLCs application
for Level A and Level B incidental taking of marine mammals during construction of the new wind farm proposed off the coast of Rhode Island. For such a large environmental group they had just a few suggestions and little sign of outrage. I do understand that ” a take ” can be anything from slightly bothering a mammal up to and including killing one. I wonder about 2 things. Is Revolution Wind a significant contributor to Oceana ? And will the whales and other mammals understand and abide by the assumptions included in all that data Revolution Wind put in their computer model used in the application for the take?
Along with the government’s 10 MPH rule in coastal waters, this is one more nail in the coffin of fishing – recreational and commercial. Data proves that the vibrations/sounds of offshore windfarms disrupt whale navigation/migration. The focus on battery powered everything is doing more than derailing the US economy. If you think fossil fuel is a concern, let’s wait until all the lithium batteries have to be disposed of.