Offshore Wind Farms vs. the Fishermen

Maine fishermen have never had to share their waters until now. State officials and energy experts are saying “that the Gulf of Maine is an ideal place for massive wind farms...” They argue that it would be very difficult “to build on land near people’s homes,” so it makes more sense to use our thousands of miles of water. However they do admit that the massive wind turbine platforms and all of the cables could have a great impact on fish and Maine’s commercial fishing industry. “George LaPointe, commissioner of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, said the reality is that the industries are going to have to learn to coexist in areas of the gulf.” The goal is to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity from the offshore wind farm by 2030. Just to give you an idea 4,497 megawatts is roughly enough electricity to power 4.5 million average homes.
The wind turbines would have to be 50 meters or deeper. Research to make certain is taking place at the University of Maine. The current designs have platforms anchored to the ocean bottom by a series of large cables. These series of large cables create large concerns for fishermen. They’re worried about nets and traps that could damage or be damaged by the cables. Another concern is that they wouldn’t be allowed near the area around the turbine and cables. A huge concern is how the noise and vibrations from the turbines will affect the marine life. “Neal Pettigrew, a University of Maine professor of physical oceanography, said that by placing the large turbines in deep waters, developers can mostly avoid bird flyways and minimize visual impacts from the shore. In Maine, 80 percent of the lobster catch is within three miles of the land, so locating platforms outside that area also would help reduce potential conflicts with fishermen.” Pettigrew provided details of the monitoring buoy that is being deployed at a site near Monhegan Island where a university-led research group plans to erect test turbines. The university plans to monitor the turbines’ potential effects on marine mammals and bottom-dwelling organisms as well as birds and bats.
The state has set this goal and has already started the necessary research. But this is a serious dilemma. The fishing industry is such a huge part of Maine and these wind farms could have a huge impact. On the other hand our state needs to become “greener” and create and harness renewable energy. I'm not sure how the state will be able to accommodate both fishermen and then offshore wind farm. Unfortunately I believe that the fishermen are going to have to let this one go, our planet needs to head in a better direction. Wind farms are a great place to start and 5,000 megawatts by 2030 is a great goal to have. I can honestly say I would be very proud if Maine pulled this off! But I do feel that this isn't fair towards fishermen, their earnings are already down as it is this could contribute to even lower numbers. I'm truly torn on this issue.

sources:
http://www.bangordailynews.com/detail/138475.html
http://www.utilipoint.com/issuealert/print.asp?id=1728

Wo's perspective on a little fishing in Costa Rica

Mr. Wolotsky is the librarian at my school and runs a fishing boat in the summer. He just recently went to Costa Rica for some fishing.

Costa Rica Vs Maine Saltwater Fishing from Dan Wolotsky on Vimeo.

Water Access in Maine

Fishing activities strive on water access. In Maine we have beautiful coastlines, sandy beaches, and rivers all throughout: but that land is not all public. "Although we live in “vacationland,” and encourage tourists to enjoy the fields, forests, lakes, rivers and coast of Maine, we choose to largely ignore the fact that many of the activities we advertise require access to private land." We do not have enough public water access.

This problem is more for the lakes and rivers of inland Maine, then for here on the coast. Private land owners put up "No Trespassing" signs, but can you blame them? It is their own property and they don't have to share it with us. But why is Maine advertising for the entire river fishing or boating on lakes when there's not enough adequate access? Sure it brings people in, but why false advertise?

The state is going to have to buy up this land. It may cost a lot of money, but the money we can gain back from it will be greater. If you establish a public water access in a town that may doesn't have lots of tourists the town will have to provide for that public place and create fishing or boating places. If there are established fishing or boating places people will specifically come there: maybe they'll bring they're own boat up or maybe they'll stay in a hotel, but either way they'll buy from the resources around them. With more public water access people will be able to come and enjoy the recreational fishing Maine has to offer. But our state won't pay attention to this problem unless people speak up.

Source: http://www.downeast.com/georges-outdoor-news/2010/january/maine-land-water-access

*In Boothbay, we personally don't have this problem. Our town thrives on tourists and the money they spend here: many of them own or use boats. They also go fishing with our local sport fishermen. We have many places for public access: Grimes Cove, Shipbuilders' Park, Murry Hill, Knickerkane, Knickerbocker Lake, the Waterfront Park, Barrett's Park, Juniper Point, next to the Atlantic Edge, and the Newagen town landing.

Red Tide Close to Home

Pollution has become a big problem in our waters: it creates closures of recreational areas that we use. Not only is pollution a problem but Red Tide as well.
Red Tide in New England:
"There are millions of microscopic plants (phytoplankton) that exist in almost every drop of coastal seawater. With the right conditions, (sunlight and proper nutrients), these plants photosynthesize and multiply, creating a "bloom." The organism that causes toxic red tide, or HAB, in New England is a microscopic one-celled alga called Alexandrium tamarense. Its life cycle includes a dormant cyst stage that can survive cold winters in bottom sediments. The cysts, which also contain toxin, are the seeds for future blooms. These cysts facilitate the spread of toxic red tides into new areas since they are easily transported by tidal currents, dredge material disposal, and transplanted shellfish."

On June 8, 2009 there was a "Notice of Emergency Rule-Making" by the Department of Marine Resources for Red Tide in the Sheepscot River, which includes Westport Island, Edgecomb, Boothbay, and Boothbay Harbor.
"Effective immediately, because of pollution, it shall be unlawful to dig, take or possess any clams, quahogs, oysters or mussels taken from the shores, flats and waters..."
This closure affects many people in the Boothbay Region. Diggers are affected because they don't "have" a job for the summer and the businesses that buy from those diggers have to go elsewhere to get clams or mussels. That in turn raises the prices of seafood in our region because we have to out source to get what we want.



Sources:
http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/factsheets/redtide.html
http://www.maine.gov/dmr/rm/public_health/closures/closedarea.htm

Catching and Releasing Tips

Catching and Releasing Tips
From the Maine Department of Fish and Wildlife

1. Time is of the essence. Play and release the fish as quickly and carefully as possible. An exhausted fish may be too weak to recover.

2. Keep the fish in the water as much as you can. A fish out of water is suffocating, and may injure itself on rocks, etc. Try to keep the fish out of water no more than 15 seconds.

3. Be gentle. Wet your hands before handling any live fish. Keep your fingers away from the gills. Don't squeeze the fish. Small fish may be held gently around the middle; let them swim away once they've recovered. Larger fish may be held securely by the tail and bottom jaw. If a net is used, make sure it is fine-meshed to avoid injuries to the gills or eyes.

4. Remove the hook with small pliers or a similar type tool - If the hook is deeply embedded or in a sensitive area such as the gills or stomach, cut the leader close to the snout. Make an effort to use regular steel (bronzed) hooks to promote early disintegration. Do not use stainless or gold-plated hooks.

5. To revive a fish once it is back in the water, hold it in a swimming position in the water and move it gently back and forth until it is able to swim away.

Background to Maine's Fishing Industry

Fishing in most cases is now considered a past time, but for some it is still a way of life. In the 1850's Maine had over 10,000 vessel fishermen, around then fishing was sometimes the only option to make money. Fishing was the staple industry of not only Maine's but the nation's economy before the civil war. Today there an estimated 26,000 jobs in the fishing industry that rakes in about 860 million dollars for the state of Maine. There are 7,000 miles of coastline available but only 25 miles are used as "working waterfronts." Maine has a reputation for having the best saltwater sport fisheries on the east coast; top notch captains and guides.