The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), in consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service and affected coastal states, is developing guidance to mitigate potential impacts from offshore wind projects on commercial and recreational fisheries.
BOEM has issued a Request for Information (RFI) in order to collect knowledge from the people and organizations who know and use the areas that could be affected.
As part of this process, BOEM is hosting a series of two-hour virtual fisheries mitigation scoping dialogues in December. The Gulf of Mexico Workshop is being held on Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon CST. These workshops are intended primarily for commercial and recreational fishermen, but they are also open to the public.
The comment period closes on Jan. 7, 2022. The comments and information received in response to this RFI will inform BOEM’s development of draft guidance. Once complete, the draft guidance will be shared with the public for review and input for a 45-day comment period.
To register for a workshop, or to get additional information, including the RFI, meeting agenda, full list of meeting dates and topics, visitwww.boem.gov/renewable-energy/fishing-industry-communication-and-engagement. To submit comments, visitwww.regulations.gov/document/BOEM-2021-0083-0001.
If you have questions about the Request for Information and/or workshops, please contact Brian Hooker (Brian.Hooker@boem.gov).
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for America’s offshore energy and mineral resources. The bureau promotes energy independence, environmental protection and economic development through responsible, science-based management of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
NOAA Fisheries, also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the Department of Commerce. NOAA Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the nation’s ocean resources and their habitat.