Vineyard Wind is committed to working with the fishing industry so that both the wind and fishing industries can grow together offshore. This commitment is long-standing, starting with Vineyard Wind engaging the industry’s first fisheries representative in 2010 and meeting with hundreds of fisheries stakeholders including fishermen of various gear types, fishing advocacy organizations, and local fisheries groups who are most likely to be affected by offshore wind development in the Vineyard Wind lease areas located on the outer continental shelf off the coast of Massachusetts. We are committed to continued communications through the permitting, construction, operations, and decommissioning of our projects.

Highlights of our work

• 10+ years and hundreds of meetings with fisherman and fishing organizations

• 1st US developer to hire a fisheries representative

• $2,000,000+ per year spent for fisheries research conducted by a leading university

• All fisheries research and data made publicly available

Fisheries representatives & partners

The Fisheries Representatives represent the interests of fishermen to the project, and help make sure the project is getting the information it should have about the fishing industry.  Fisheries Representatives represent the interests of fishermen, not the project.  Fisheries Representatives also help get out the word about project activities offshore, and help to make sure the project is aware of any immediate problems or concerns from fishermen.

FOR FISHERMEN

Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust
mvfishermen@gmail.com
(508) 687-0344

The Martha’s Vineyard Fishermen’s Preservation Trust is a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation established in 2011 to: (i) Preserve the historic fishing fleets, communities, and economies of Martha’s Vineyard; (ii) Protect the marine populations and fishing grounds off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard and New England; (iii) Educate the community about its local fisheries.

New Bedford Port Authority
www.portofnewbedford.org
(508) 961-3000

The New Bedford Port Authority (NBPA) is the governing body for New Bedford’s harbor and city-owned waterfront properties. It is chaired by the Mayor of New Bedford with six other members. The role of the NBPA is to support the Port of New Bedford by continually upgrading port resources; preserving its spot as the #1 U.S. fishing port; and expanding the New Bedford economy. The NBPA oversees all the commercial and recreational vessel activity within New Bedford city limits, incorporating the city’s entire coastline and harbor.

Mass. Lobstermen’s Association, Inc.
www.lobstermen.com / Attn: Beth Casoni
(781) 545-6984 office
(508) 738-1245 cell

The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association is a member-driven organization that accepts and supports the interdependence of species conservation and the members’ collective economic interests.  The Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association was established in 1963 by the fishermen, for the fishermen, and is presently one of the leading commercial fishing industry associations in New England. On behalf of the 1,800 members, the MLA works to maintain both the industry and the resource. The MLA strives to be proactive on issues affecting the lobster industry and is active in the management process at both the state and federal levels. The MLA communicates with its members through a monthly newspaper, weekly email, Facebook, Twitter and attendance at meetings. For the past 54 years, the MLA has become a trustworthy voice for the industry on important issues, and is looked to by both the fishing industry and the management community

New Bedford Seafood Consulting
Jim Kendall, Executive Director
nbsc@comcast.net
(508) 997-0013 office / (508) 287-2010 cell

Mr. Kendall is the Executive Director of New Bedford Seafood Consulting. He is a former scallop fisherman with over 50 years of experience in the fishing industry and with fisheries issues. Mr. Kendall was a member of a research team for the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation that focused on discard mortality rates of Southern New England flatfish. Mr. Kendall served as a New England Fishery Management Council member for numerous terms. He has also served on the Massachusetts Fisheries Recovery Commission, the New England Commercial Fishing Law Enforcement Working Group, and is a founding member of the Massachusetts Fishermen’s Partnership. Mr. Kendall was featured in the book A Doryman’s Reflection: A Fisherman’s Life. Additionally, Mr. Kendall has been interviewed on WBSM radio and by the New Bedford Standard Times, the Gloucester Times, and the Boston Globe on fisheries issues.

Coastal Asset Management LLC
Michael Theiler
lobster.mike@yahoo.com
(860) 235-5117 cell

Coastal Asset Management was formed by Gordon Videll, Gary Yerman, and Michael Theiler in Southeastern Connecticut. “Together we have decades of experience as professional mariners and extensive knowledge of local waters that allow us to provide and distribute information in an effective and meaningful manner to the local fishing community.”

Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island
www.cfcri.org

The Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island is the home for the Ocean State's commercial fishing community. The center was founded to preserve commercial fishing as a profession, culture, and way of life through promoting the sustainability of the resource. Achieving true sustainability in our fisheries is a difficult and complicated feat. But CFCRI believes in cultivating an environment of open communication and encouraging the sharing of knowledge about our ocean and its resources. In the pursuit of sustainable seas, our approach is innovative, our lens is optimistic, and our goals are ambitious. ​

Our members believe in commercial fishing as a profession, a culture, and a way of life. We seek to preserve the sanctity of our community, the solvency of our small business and the sustainability of the fishery resource. The Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island is our headquarters to bring fishermen, scientists, managers, and elected officials together in a collaborative effort to improve our fisheries and our understanding of the marine environment so that the proud heritage of our industry continues nobly through future generations.

The Montauk Fish Dock
Paul Farnham
(631) 835 9355 cell
paulfarnham1@gmail.com

The Montauk Fish Dock is a commercial fish unloading packing and freight forwarding facility located in Montauk NY. The Dock provides diesel fuel, ice, dockage and  fresh water. Montauk Fish Dock has been servicing the fishing fleet since 1988. Customer gear types are inshore and offshore Draggers, inshore and offshore gillneters, offshore bottom and surface longliners, inshore and offshore Lobster, offshore sea scallop, inshore and offshore rod and reel. The fleet consists of approximately 40 fishing vessels of which 20 vessels fish all year.

The American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA)
saltwaterguidesassociation.com

Tony Friedrich
(202) 744-5013
tony@saltwaterguidesassociation.org

ASGA is the organizing voice for members of the recreational fishing community who find greater value in having access to abundant fish stocks rather than simply maximizing harvest. Members include for-hire captains and guides, fishing-related small businesses, and private anglers from Maine to Florida who fish for a broad range of state- and federally-managed species.