Join NF editors Kirk Moore and Jessica Hathaway for a discussion on the future of offshore wind power with panelists Annie Hawkins, executive director of the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance in Washington, D.C.; Mike Conroy, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations in San Francisco; and Bonnie Brady, executive director of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association; Montauk, N.Y.
Ask questions for the panel in our Member Forum — details below the video.
We will be talking about the latest developments with proposed wind energy projects off the East Coast — and how soon those proposals will come to the West Coast. Topics include the upcoming federal environmental impact statement on the cumulative impacts of Vineyard Wind and other East Coast projects; the status of wind energy planning off the West Coast; the state of relations and communications between fishermen and the wind industry; and fishermen’s concerns with safety and adequate vessel traffic lanes between turbines.
Bonnie Brady: “It’s really important for fishermen to lock arms and work together before they get run over by these things on their historic fishing grounds.”
Wind energy regulators and the Coast Guard need better data on fishing vessel traffic, says Annie Hawkins: “It should not have come to the level of disagreement that it did with that New England area… with saying ‘Be more vigilant, drink more coffee.’ That’s not where we should be.”
Mike Conroy: West Coast floating turbines “adds a level of complexity” with deepwater mooring cables. For some fisheries, “it’s going to be operationally impossible for them to function.”
• Sign up for a free NationalFisherman.com membership.
• Then visit the Offshore Wind Discussion Forum to ask your question or check in with the panelists.
Resources:
RODA's Synthesis of the Science series — access to recorded sessions.
