November 30, 2021

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is seeking information from the fishing community to develop guidance regarding mitigation of impacts from offshore wind projects. Comments are due January 7, 2022.

Comments in writing can be submitted through the Request for Information in the Federal Register. Oral comments can be made at a series of public meetings planned for December.

From the Federal Register,

BOEM, in consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and affected coastal states, intends to develop guidance for the mitigation of impacts from offshore wind energy projects on commercial and recreational fishing communities. To initiate the development of this guidance, BOEM is issuing this 45-day Request for Information to obtain input from the public.

Virtual Public Meetings will be held on the following dates, and information can be found here.

• 12/1 – 10 am EST – East Coast Workshop on Clams and Scallops (Bottom Gear) (Register)
• 12/2 – 10 am EST – East Coast Workshop on Mobile Gear/Mixed Trawl/Pelagic (Register) 
• 12/6 – 10 am EST – East Coast Workshop on Fixed Gear (Register) 
• 12/7 – 10 am EST – Recreational Fishing Workshop (Register) 

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