Vineyard Wind Project
Vineyard Wind Request for Information
Survey for South of the Vineyard Fishermen
Vineyard Wind and the New England Aquarium Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life are partnering to document the presence of highly migratory species (HMS) and HMS recreational fisheries in the southern New England wind energy lease areas.
Do you fish offshore for highly migratory species (HMS) such as tuna, sharks, marlin, mahi, wahoo, etc, in southern New England from Montauk to Nantucket? To better understand how recreational fishing for HMS may be impacted by offshore wind development, the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium has developed an online survey to quantify the nature and extent of recreational fishing effort for HMS that occurs in this region.
If you’ve fished for HMS in southern New England over the past 5 years and have 2 to 5 minutes to spare, please consider following the below link to take the survey.
Take the Survey at the following link https://www.vineyardwind.com/survey-for-south-of-the-vineyard-fishermen
Radar Analysis Questionnaire
Vineyard Wind is gathering information to be used in a radar analysis looking at the potential effects of offshore wind turbines on radar systems used by fishing vessels. When the radar analysis is complete results will be shared with BOEM, USCG and the report will be available on our website.
In order to get an accurate representation of radar units typically used in different fishing fleets we are asking fishermen to provide information about the units they have on board. Please answer the questions at the link below. If you don’t have all the information, just the make and model of the radar unit will be helpful. Alternatively, you can download the questionnaire here or text/email pictures of your radar equipment to me if that’s easier. https://www.vineyardwind.com/radarquestionnaire
Overview
Vineyard Wind is well underway in developing the nation's first utility-scale offshore wind energy project over 15 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. The project will generate clean, renewable, cost-competitive energy for over 400,000 homes and businesses across the Commonwealth, while reducing carbon emissions by over 1.6 million tons per year.
New England is shifting to clean, competitively-priced energy, and Massachusetts state law seeks to have 3,200 MW of offshore wind providing electricity to the Commonwealth by 2035, which could represent over 20% of electricity consumed in the state. Vineyard Wind is an important part of that goal, and will make a significant contribution to the Commonwealth’s aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while growing our economy and enhancing energy security and reliability.
Project Update
July 23, 2019 – The Massachusetts Legislature has enacted bi-partisan legislation co-sponsored by Senator Julian Cyr (D – Truro) and Rep. William L. Crocker (R – Barnstable) authorizing the Barnstable Town Council to grant an easement for a portion of Covell’s Beach that will allow for construction of the interconnection between Vineyard Wind, the United States’ first large-scale wind farm, and the New England power grid.
The legislative vote follows a Host Community Agreement (HCA) between the Town of Barnstable and Vineyard Wind, which was unanimously supported by the Barnstable Town Council in October 2018. The HCA includes annual payments to the Town of at least $1.534 million each year in combined property taxes and host community payments, totaling a guaranteed $16 million in Host Community Payments. The Town Council has dedicated those resources to municipal water protection efforts.
The HCA also includes $80,000 for reconstruction of a bathhouse at Covell’s Beach, repaving of an aged parking lot at the beach, barring construction between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and collaboration on design features. The company and the town are working in close collaboration to aid the Town’s sewer needs by co-locating sewer infrastructure in conjunction with Vineyard Wind construction, which will save costs to the town and reduce the need for future road openings. Read more https://www.vineyardwind.com/press-releases/2019/7/22/project-update-massachusetts-legislature-enacts-bipartisan-legislation-to-advance-vineyard-wind-projectnbsp
Vineyard Wind Project Related Links
- Updated Vineyard Wind Website. A lot of great information, take a look. https://www.vineyardwind.com/
- SMAST Fishermen Workshops Report and Studies Recommendations (also as PDF below). https://vineyardwind.app.box.com/s/rvwqef7crahpiy3unk4cra6amr08llwb Comments on report should be sent to cbank@vineyardwind.com.
- Economic Exposure of Massachusetts Commercial Fisheries to the Vineyard Wind Project (also as PDF below). https://vineyardwind.app.box.com/s/kxzslsoblrgp6ljifc4h2ax47ic27sll Comments on report should be sent to cbank@vineyardwind.com.
- Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program helps prepare the next generation of clean energy workers by funding internships for students and recent graduates at Massachusetts clean energy and water innovation companies. https://www.masscec.com/clean-energy-internship-program
- Final environmental impact report certified for Vineyard Wind’s 800-MW offshore wind project: https://www.windpowerengineering.com/business-news-projects/final-environmental-impact-report-certified-for-vineyard-winds-800-mw-offshore-wind-project/
- Vineyard Wind Committing $15M to MA - https://www.vineyardwind.com/masswinds
- Vineyard Wind Status: https://www.boem.gov/Vineyard-Wind/
- Public comment on Vineyard Wind’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS): http://www.regulations.gov, search BOEM-2018-0069
- Vineyard Wind, Barnstable officials sign agreement on cable project: http://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20181004/vineyard-wind-barnstable-officials-sign-agreement-on-cable-project
- NOAA Fisheries Researchers Map Habitat, Assess Northeast Wind Energy Areas: https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/press_release/pr2018/features/wind-energy-areas-report/
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
NEW STRIPED BASS CONSERVATION REGULATIONS
The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has implemented two new striped bass conservation regulations aimed at reducing release mortality (see PDF below for official advisory) :
- Effective immediately (April 25, 2019), it is unlawful for any fisherman to gaff or attempt to gaff striped bass measuring less than 28 inches total length, and for a commercial fisherman fishing on an open commercial striped bass fishing day to gaff striped bass measuring less than 34 inches total length.
- Effective next year (2020), recreational anglers not fishing aboard for-hire vessels will be required to use inline circle hooks when fishing for striped bass with whole or cut natural baits. This will include fishing with whole or cut natural baits while in possession of striped bass as well. This circle hook mandate will not apply to natural baits attached to an artificial lure to be trolled, jigged, or casted and retrieved (e.g., tube and worm). Nor will the mandate apply to any natural bait affixed to a treble hook and fished using the snag and drop technique. A hook is considered to be an in-line circle hook only if it is manufactured so the barb of the hook is in-line with the shank and bend of the hook and is turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a circular or oval shape (see PDF below for image).
Sportfish Angler Data Collection Team (SADCT)
About
The Sportfish Angler Data Collection Team (SADCT) program is a group of volunteer anglers collecting biological samples of selected recreational fish species in Massachusetts marine waters. SADCT is part of an Atlantic coast-wide effort to manage and conserve recreationally targeted species. Information gathered through SADCT is used by the Division of Marine Fisheries and provided to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) to support conservation and sustainability efforts. See PDFs below to find out more about joining the team.
SADCT originally began in 2002 with anglers taking data from their striped bass catches. In 2013, three more species were added to the program: scup, black sea bass, and fluke. https://www.mass.gov/service-details/sportfish-angler-data-collection-team
Collecting Data
Anglers joining SADCT follow simple protocols for gathering data on striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), scup, and black sea bass. Participants measure fish length, collect scale samples from each fish caught, and note whether it is kept or released. Scales are used to determine the age of the fish by counting growth rings, much like the aging technique for trees. See PDF below for sampling procedures.
- How to collect scales for sampling black sea bass? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4Rn5PThA-o
- How to collect scales for sampling striped bass? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgfR9-d2F5g
- How to collect scales for sampling fluke? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgfR9-d2F5g
Latest News and Reports
In 2018 approximately 1,900 samples were collected by SADCT volunteers. Of those 1,900 samples 1,600 samples were from striped bass. Black sea bass, fluke, and scup accounted for the remaining 300 samples.
See PDF below for Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries - Sportfish Angler Data Collection Team 2018 Report.