Rec. Fishing + Offshore Wind power Developer Meeting Coming Up

[paulyfish]

Space is limited.:) Free. :)
March 6th, in Toms River 6pm
Important to reserve your spot at link Below
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/attend-fishermans-first-meeting-with-offshore-wind-developers-tickets-55712039209

This is your first opportunity to meet the developers from Sandy Hook to Cape May.
Please write down your questions and bring them with you.
We know the turbines are coming to our waters, now its up to us to make sure that we engage with the developers and get it done right.
Thanks,
Paul

[O'Connor]

How far offshore are they proposing to build the wind farms?

[AndyS]

I'm sure the room will be packed to standing room only :D

[Down Deep Sportfishing]

They can keep em. In the end it will only cost everyone else.

[paulyfish]

How far offshore are they proposing to build the wind farms?

Up here off the Sandy Hook are we are looking at them starting at about 20 miles off. In south Jersey it will be closer starting at about 10 miles off.
Paul

[paulyfish]

I'm sure the room will be packed to standing room only :D


Its really important that guys show up and get involved. ESPECIALLY charter boat owners and Capts.
The mission is to make sure that we have a loud voice at the table and the following principles are adhered to:

Responsible Development of Offshore Wind Power
Recreational anglers recognize the potential benefits of offshore wind power and believe it is possible for turbine development to coexist with - and even improve - fishing in the Atlantic, provided project developers and government agencies abide by clear principles that include:

1. Access
Recreational anglers must be able to fish up to the base of turbine foundations to take advantage of the new habitat that will be created by offshore wind power development. We understand access may be limited during construction.

2. Public Input
Recreational anglers must be engaged early in the planning process for offshore wind power development. Clearly communicated opportunities to provide input on siting, permitting, access and other issues can avoid future conflicts.

3. Science
Fisheries research before, during and after wind turbine construction is essential for monitoring impacts to species of interest to recreational anglers. Study results should be publicly available and regularly communicated to our community.

[dakota560]

Up here off the Sandy Hook are we are looking at them starting at about 20 miles off. In south Jersey it will be closer starting at about 10 miles off.
Paul

Starting 20 miles off of Sandy Hook is one data point, any idea of the overall area under consideration. Dan posted a map on a prior thread, area seemed considerable and spread out. I posted the attached graph from NMFS earlier under the fluke regulations thread, the neighborhood being considered from your reply appears to be part of the general area the majority of the summer flounder biomass resides today. A fishery we're being told is currently at defcon 2 already if you believe marine fisheries.

Excerpt from article about wind farms:

Impact pathways:
The potential effects of offshore wind farm construction and operation will differ among species, depending on their likelihood of interaction with the structures and cables, sensitivities, and avoidance responses. Studies have generally focused on marine mammals and seabirds because of stakeholder concerns and legal protection for these species and their habitats. The construction phase is likely to have the greatest impact on marine mammals and the activities of greatest concern are pile driving and increased vessel traffic [15]. Pile driving is currently the most common method used to secure the turbine foundation to the seafloor, although other foundation types are being developed [4]. The loud sounds emitted during pile driving could potentially cause hearing damage, masking of calls or spatial displacement as animals move out of the area to avoid the noise [16,17]. Fish could similarly be affected by these sounds [17-20]. There is also a risk to marine mammals, sea turtles and fish of collision and disturbance from vessel movements associated with surveying and installation activities.

During operation of the wind turbines, underwater sound levels are unlikely to reach dangerous levels or mask acoustic communication of marine mammals [21,22]. However, this phase of the development is of greatest concern for seabirds. Mortality can be caused by collision with the moving turbine blades, and avoidance responses may result in displacement from key habitat or increase energetic costs [23,24]. This may affect birds migrating through the area as well as those that breed or forage in the vicinity.

During operation, cables transmitting the produced electricity will also emit electromagnetic fields. This could affect the movements and navigation of species that are sensitive to electro- or magnetic fields, which includes fish species, particularly elasmobranchs and some teleost fish and decapod crustaceans, and sea turtles [25-27]. Commercial fish species may potentially be positively affected if fishing is prohibited in the vicinity of the wind farm, although this could result in a displacement of fisheries effort and consequent change in catches and bycatch.

Anyone know what impact this will have on the summer flounder biomass itself, the upcoming recruitment class or all fisheries for that matter. Summer flounder larvae we're talking about at a sensitive stage in their development process. Any chance testing, construction, pile driving, electromagnetic fields, mattressing etc. could wipe out an entire recruitment class? If so and I'm sure no one knows that answer for certain. Mid-Atlantic States could arguably lose their most important saltwater resource which countless businesses depend on for survival. And that's in addition to the potential impact that would have on the recreational fishing community.

Hope there's someone with a scientific background who doesn't represent the "stakeholders" in attendance because with projects like these, the panel tends to focus on the positive benefits everyone hopes might materialize while completely overlooking potential downsides. I'm not suggesting the project shouldn't be considered as global warming is an issue which needs to be addressed. I just hope the process of addressing it doesn't create a half dozen other problems. There's only maybe a $20 - $25 billion or more economic impact at risk here so I'd think we'd want all "T's" crossed and "I's" dotted before moving forward.

[dakota560]

Capt. Paul, replied to your pm, let me know if that what you were looking for..

[paulyfish]

Capt. Paul, replied to your pm, let me know if that what you were looking for..


Thank you yes, got it and replied via PM. Better to email me so I can reply sooner and more efficiently than this app.
Paul
paulyfish@reeltherapy.com

[foggy notion]

So what happened at the meeting on March 6th? Thanks for the feedback.

[paulyfish]

So what happened at the meeting on March 6th? Thanks for the feedback.

Hey Foggy-
Thanks for your followup.
Meeting went well overall. Some great questions asked by folks from many different angles.
The developers have some homework to do to respond to specific questions, especially pertaining to transmission cables, access around the sub stations and many more topics.
One topic that came up was after the 25yr lease was up, will they leave the turbine base down below intact as it has become a fish agregator/reef by then. This is a great example of an opportunity for rec fisherman engagement and thinking about preserving the habitat post use.