Fishing/Offshore Wind Mitigation Measures Development Workshops

The Final Report on Fishing Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures is complete and available below. BOEM will consider the recommendations in this report in regards to best management practices required in Atlantic renewable energy lessees construction and operations plans, general activities plans, and site assessment plans. BOEM appreciates the participation of fishermen and potential offshore renewable energy developers in developing the fishing best management practices included in the report. Guidelines for renewable energy lessee's plan submittal, including guidance for incorporation of best management practices is found here.

• Final Report on Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures
• Draft Report on Fishing Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures
• Draft Report on Fishing Best Management Practices and Mitigation Measures Appendices
• Comments on Draft Report
  • Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council - For more information regarding the workshop from which this report was produced go to the MAFMC website.
  • Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation

Background

BOEM is developing best management practices (BMPs) and mitigation measures for analysis and decision making under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) associated with wind energy development and activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as they relate to interaction with commercial and recreational fishing practices.

To address future conflicts between fishing and wind projects within the OCS, BOEM wants input from commercial and recreational fishing industries, as well as fisheries management agencies and scientists, relative to proposed offshore wind energy development.

In order to effectively engage the fishing industry and its many fisheries and technologies, as well as wind energy developers, eight stakeholder workshops will be held from Maine through North Carolina to allow for dialogue among the parties.

Meetings were held in the following locations:

Additional Meeting Materials:

• NY Presentation 1 - Bornholdt
• NY Presentation 2 - Kirkpatrick
• NY Presentation 3 - Hooker
• BOEM-Fishing FAQs
• Fishing Concerns
• Fishing BMPs
• BOEM Overview RI and MA
• BOEM Overview Mid Atlantic