February 27, 2019 — WASHINGTON — The following was released by the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance:

In an increased effort to promote the coexistence and collaboration between offshore wind development and the U.S. fishing industry, the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance (RODA) would like to announce that Equinor Wind US has joined its Joint Industry Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to develop recommendations for maximizing the compatibility of offshore wind development with the established fishing industry in the region.

The Joint Industry Task Force allows both industries to remain autonomous while facilitating conversations, utilizing the best available science, and providing a space for direct input to be discussed and generating novel solutions, as offshore development continues to move forward. In particular, the task force will focus on improving communications regarding operational and design elements of offshore wind energy development projects and commercial fishing practices.

This innovative partnership was created earlier this year. In order to ensure a productive and collaborative discussion, the vision of a complete joint industry task force will have fully inclusive representation from the region’s diverse fisheries and offshore wind energy developers. RODA invites any interested wind energy developers and commercial fishermen, or fishing industry businesses, to join in this endeavor.