Abstract
BOEM, DMME and Virginia Coastal Zone Management (VA CZM) Program developed this project— Collaborative Fisheries Planning for Virginia’s Offshore Wind Energy Area—to provide a process for working with the recreational and commercial fishing sectors. To prepare for potential development of wind energy facilities off the coast of Virginia, the project was designed to:
- Identify fishing communities potentially affected by the VWEA.
- Establish a collaborative process for a two-way exchange of information with identified communities.
- Develop accurate, fine-scale maps of important recreational, commercial, and charter fishing areas in and around the VWEA through a collaborative effort with fishermen.
- Build upon BOEM’s Report on Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Mitigation Measures for Fishing and Offshore Wind Energy Development, 2 by working with fishermen to develop a fisheries communication plan and other BMPs.
- Create BMPs regarding communication, design, operation, and environmental monitoring of a commercial wind facility.
It is important to note that this document uses the term “fishermen” to collectively refer to commercial, recreational, and charter boat fishermen. The term is meant to be inclusive, and not limiting to one category over another. Information from this project will feed into BOEM’s environmental analysis (i.e., BOEM’s NEPA review of the proposed COP) and associated environmental consultations.