October 14, 2026 — The Maine Department of Marine Resources announced on Tuesday that it plans to conduct another round of research in the Gulf of Maine to study marine life near a proposed offshore wind development.
The winter bottom trawl survey is scheduled to begin the week of January 11, 2027, and continue through Feb. 28. The department notes that the project could be extended into March depending on weather conditions.
A 55-foot trawling vessel, the Northern Lights, is set to depart from Portland and conduct approximately 37 sampling tows over nine days.
Researchers are set to examine fish and invertebrate populations to establish baseline data that they will then compare with findings collected during the construction and operation of Maine’s proposed offshore wind research array.
According to the state, the research is intended to help scientists understand the effects of offshore wind development on marine ecosystems as well as commercial fishing.
Officials do not plan to ask fishermen to move their gear during the survey. However, the department says additional notices will be issued if fishing gear is set to interfere with research operations.
The survey is part of Maine’s broader effort to study the environmental and fishing-industry impacts of offshore wind energy before commercial development.