July 9, 2021 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:
The New England Fishery Management Council met June 22-24, 2021 by webinar. In addition to the actions the Council took on scallops, groundfish, and skates, here are other important highlights.
Habitat/Offshore Wind – The Council received offshore wind presentations from three different agencies.
- The Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) covered how NOAA Fisheries cooperates and coordinates with other agencies on wind issues, develops checklists to help guide analyses of socio-economic impacts on fishing communities, as well as Endangered Species Act biological assessments and other analyses, conducts essential fish habitat (EFH) consultations and EFH mapping, and more;
- The Northeast Fisheries Science Center focused on offshore wind impacts on federal scientific surveys and the associated implications; and
- The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) provided a broad overview of offshore wind energy projects throughout the Atlantic region.