Deepwater struggles to assuage concerns of fishermen

Commercial fishermen peppered representatives of Deepwater Wind this week with concerns, questions and “what-if” scenarios about the planned offshore wind farm’s feared impacts on marine life and the men who work the waters for a living. The company, which is planning to spend more than $700 million to construct 15 wind turbines in the ocean 30 miles southeast of Montauk, walked a standing-room-only audience at the East Hampton Town Trustees meeting on Monday night through the coming permitting and presumed construction process that will follow. Its officials also tried to again assuage the concerns of fishermen about the effects the South Fork Wind Farm will have on fishing. click here to read the story 08:13

Fishermen Demand Answers on Wind Power Plan – “You’re going into our fishing grounds,” Hank Lackner, owner of the 90-foot trawler Jason & Danielle, told the Deepwater Wind officials. Visibly angry, he demanded details as to how fishermen would be compensated for interruptions, likening that compensation to the incentives offered to the town, which he said are effectively bribery. “When I can’t fish where I have for decades . . . and have to change my business operations, what are you going to do?” click here to read the story18:36 12/14

One Response to Deepwater struggles to assuage concerns of fishermen

  1. Joel Hovanesian says:

    Fishermen, beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing. Here in Rhode Island where this has been done, a transmission line runs through an area that mobile gear has been used for generations. The cable was supposed to be buried. However there were some areas where it couldn’t be done. Their solution was to install concrete mats over the transmission lines like the ones pictured in this attachment. http://www.subseaprotection
    Long story short, boats have lost nets, destroyed gear and all in areas where we have worked forever. We were told this project would not prohibit any of our activities in the areas where work was being done. I personally did major damage to a brand new net last summer and along with the others who have also done damage have received no compensation from these companies who claim to be “working with the fishing community”. We didn’t want it and were told a line of bull about how it wouldn’t interfere with our activities. Tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage combined when you add it all up and nothing from these people who are supposed to be working with us.
    WATCH OUT!!

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