Fishermen
SouthCoast Wind is working closely with local commercial and recreational fishermen throughout southern New England. We recognize that responsible development requires early, transparent, and continuous communications during the development, construction and operations of our projects.
Our goal is to develop and implement fisheries mitigation measures that avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to fishermen and fisheries and allow offshore wind development to coexist with sustainable and healthy fisheries. Our Marine Science work is focused on environmental mitigation and monitoring and minimizing impacts to local communities.
Contact our fisheries liaison officer
SouthCoast Wind’s fisheries liaison officer takes the lead in actively communicating and collaborating with the fishing industry on behalf of the project. These efforts are guided by SouthCoast Wind’s Fisheries Communication Plan.
Our fisheries liaison officer has a regular presence in the field, including monthly Port Hours in New Bedford, Massachusetts and Narragansett, Rhode Island.
Mariners may reach SouthCoast Wind’s fisheries liaison officer at 508-589-3557 or joel.southall@southcoastwind.com.
If you think you may have lost fishing gear due to SouthCoast Wind survey activities, please e-mail or call the contact listed above, and download SouthCoast Wind’s Gear Loss Claim Form. We collect basic information on your fishing vessel and activity, and the date, location and nature of the gear loss. Please submit as much information as you can via e-mail and we will contact you to complete the form and begin the Gear Loss Claim process.
For the latest news & events please visit the page link below.
SouthCoast Wind worked with federal agencies, fishermen, and offshore wind developers to establish the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) to advance regional research and monitoring of fisheries and offshore wind interactions in federal waters through collaboration and cooperation.
We have contracted three Fisheries Representatives – Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA), New Bedford Port Authority (NBPA), and Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island (CFCRI) – to collaborate on initiatives that minimize impacts to fisheries in the project area.
Fisheries communication plan
Our Fisheries Communications Plan, required by BOEM under the lease stipulations, is an important part of our offshore wind project’s efforts to develop and implement best practices and build collaborative relationships with the fishing community.