Maine's Congressional Delegation, Governor Mills Ask Federal Agency in Charge of Offshore Wind Leasing to Listen to the Voices of Maine Fishermen

Press Release

"Fishermen and women across the country and in Maine have expressed several concerns regarding offshore wind development. Maine's fishermen have worked for decades with state and federal regulators on numerous rules and regulations to preserve the fisheries and the varied species that inhabit those waters. The Call identifies 9.8 million acres to site potential commercial offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine. This includes Lobster Management Area (LMA) 1 and three areas that are closed to fishing either permanently or seasonally. Although BOEM reduced the acreage initially proposed by 29 percent, it failed to remove these key areas, and instead specifically requested additional comments on these areas.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

"Siting offshore wind development outside of LMA 1 would avoid conflict not only with the majority of Maine's commercial fishing industry, but also with recreational fishermen and other commercial and recreational marine users. Our fishing community feels that their voices are not being heard. A straightforward way for BOEM to show it is committed to minimizing impact to fisheries would be to adopt the fishing community's primary request: remove LMA 1 from consideration.

"In addition, parts of the Massachusetts Restricted Area, the Great South Channel Restricted Area, and most of the LMA 1 restricted area remain on the table for offshore wind development. All of these areas are closed to fishing either permanently or seasonally due to the potential presence of a North Atlantic Right Whale. If an area is closed to fishing, how could this area still be considered for offshore wind development? This is inconsistent with the fact that our fishermen are required to comply with closures in these areas."

Source