Reducing or Avoiding Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy on Fisheries

On Jan. 16, 2025, BOEM announced the finalization of guidance aimed at mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy projects on commercial and for-hire recreational fisheries. BOEM’s final guidance provides a national framework for addressing social and economic impacts on the fishing industry affected by offshore wind development.  

This comprehensive final guidance, informed by extensive public input, establishes clear processes for the offshore wind industry to address potential disruptions to fisheries. It ensures consistency and promotes fair treatment of fishermen, regardless of their home or landing port.

The guidance emphasizes early engagement and transparency with fishing communities, encouraging lessees to document interactions. Recommendations in the guidance address design considerations, safety protocols, and financial compensation processes. Compensation measures extend through construction, early operations, and decommissioning, ensuring comprehensive coverage for affected fisheries.  

Background

BOEM initiated the guidance development process in late 2021 by issuing a Request for Information and opening up a 45-day public comment period. Using input provided during that comment period, BOEM then published draft guidance in June 2022 and opened another 60-day comment period. From late 2021 through August 2022, BOEM held seven workshops to engage stakeholders and gather input. Public participation was extensive, with nearly 200 oral and written comments submitted. See the Draft Fisheries Mitigation Guidance tab and the RFI on Fisheries Mitigation Guidance tab for more information.

 

Draft Fisheries Mitigation Guidance

BOEM, in consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and affected coastal states, held virtual public meetings to discuss draft guidance for ways to mitigate impacts from offshore wind projects on commercial and recreational fisheries and fishing. The guidance was developed based on public input received in late 2021.  

The Draft Fisheries Mitigation Guidance was shared with the public for review and input for a 60-day comment period, which closed on Aug. 22, 2022. Comments can be viewed here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/BOEM-2022-0033. Guidelines developed through this process may be updated periodically based upon public feedback and evaluation by BOEM staff.

  • Public meetings Summary (July 11 East Coast Meeting, July 15 West Coast Meeting, July 18 Gulf Coast Meeting, July 21 Developers Meeting)

The workshops primarily engaged commercial and recreational fishermen on the West Coast, the Gulf, and the Atlantic Coast, as well as developers. However, the meetings were open to the general public to participate.

Resources

Request for Information on Fisheries Mitigation Guidance

On November 23, 2021, BOEM published a “Request for Information” to obtain input from the public, especially the fishing community, on avoiding, minimizing and, if needed, compensating for impacts from offshore wind energy projects to commercial and recreational fisheries.

The comment period on the Request for Information closed on January 7, 2022. Comments can be viewed here: https://www.regulations.gov/search/comment?filter=BOEM-2021-0083

Request for Information Workshops

BOEM hosted a series of workshops in December 2021 to obtain input from the fishing community. Workshop materials can be found below.

Meeting Summaries