New England Wind Project Enhances Community Engagement with Fisheries

The New England Wind project, developed by Avangrid, has implemented a comprehensive community engagement strategy to address concerns from the fishing industry regarding offshore wind development. Recognizing the potential impacts on commercial and recreational fishing activities, Avangrid has established a Fisheries Communication Plan that includes hiring Fisheries Liaisons and Representatives from the local fishing community. These representatives serve as intermediaries, conveying fishermen's concerns to the project team and disseminating project updates to the fishing community. Regular "Port Hours" events are held in coastal towns such as New Bedford, MA, and Narragansett, RI, providing opportunities for direct dialogue between fishermen and project representatives.

To mitigate potential disruptions to fishing activities, Avangrid has developed a Gear Loss/Time Loss Compensation program, offering reimbursement to fishermen for damages or lost fishing time resulting from survey or construction activities. Additionally, the project team has collaborated with regional fishing organizations, including the Massachusetts Fisheries Working Group on Offshore Wind Energy, to incorporate feedback into project planning and design. This collaborative approach has led to adjustments in turbine placement and cable routes to minimize conflicts with high-value fishing areas.

Avangrid has also invested in scientific research to better understand the potential impacts of offshore wind development on marine ecosystems. Collaborations with institutions like the New England Aquarium and INSPIRE Environmental have facilitated acoustic monitoring studies of highly migratory fish species in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts Wind Energy Areas. These studies aim to inform adaptive management strategies that balance renewable energy development with the sustainability of marine resources.