Saving Seafood

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind to test ocean floor for energy project

February 16, 2021 — Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind will take its initial steps toward installing New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm by submitting an application to test whether the ocean floor is suitable to support an electric transmission cable.

In an application made to the Department of Environmental Protection, the firm seeks to test the ocean substrate from 155 feet out to 3 miles off the coast of Atlantic City.

Testing will involve taking sample borings from 10 areas, ranging from 8 to 10 inches in diameter and extending from 19 to more than 65 feet deep.

The goal of the Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind is to build wind turbines from Barnegat Light to Atlantic City, as close as 9 miles from the beach. If approved, construction can begin as early as 2025 and operations by 2027. The number of wind turbines to be built has not been determined yet.

Read the full story at The Press of Atlantic City

NEW JERSEY: Fishermen skeptic on wind farm’s electromagnetic field; blackfish landed in ‘brutal’ cold

February 2, 2021 — At least a few fishermen voiced doubts about wind farms on the coast here, particularly their fears they’ll negatively impact local fisheries.

At a second meeting with Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, fishermen went as far as asking the company to put up a bond to reimburse fishing businesses if they fail due to the wind farm.

“What if the fishing industry gets pummeled? We don’t have any fallback. Until that gets answered there’s a lot of guys that aren’t going to back this,” said Capt. Bob Rush Jr., owner and operator of the Starfish party boat in Sea Isle City.

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind’s lease site lies 10 to 20 miles off the coast between Barnegat Light and Atlantic City. The lease site is about 183,000 acres

Read the full story at the Asbury Park Press

Atlantic Shores, Ørsted apply in new round of offshore wind contracts

December 11, 2020 — Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind and Ørsted said Thursday they have applied to the state in the second round of competition to supply up to 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind power to New Jersey.

In September, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced it would open the application window for the state’s second solicitation of offshore wind development. The window closed Thursday, and a decision is likely to take months.

The current solicitation will award between 1,200 and 2,400 megawatts of offshore wind energy, the BPU said, “potentially tripling the state’s committed capacity from 1,100 MW to 3,500 MW.”

It is part of the board’s work to achieve Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of creating 7,500 MW of offshore wind energy in the state by 2035, to power 3.2 million homes, the board has said.

Read the full story at the Press of Atlantic City

Atlantic Shores Launches Offshore Surveys, Appoints Fisheries Liaison Officer

September 27, 2019 — Preparing for future development, Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind LLC – a 50/50 joint venture between EDF and Shell New Energies US LLC – has launched ocean survey operations within its lease area off the coast of New Jersey.

Survey operations encompass 183,000 acres located 8-20 miles off the state’s coast between Barnegat Light and Sea Isle City. They are expected to conclude by the end of October, weather-permitting. The survey vessel Geosea will be used to characterize the seabed, collect samples and determine placement of data collection buoys, which will be deployed later this year to help measure wind, ocean and weather conditions.

The Atlantic Shores team also held a tour of the 300-foot Geosea vessel, showcasing capabilities aboard the ship. The event was attended by several agencies involved in offshore wind operations at the state and federal levels.

Read the full story at North American Wind Power

NEW JERSEY: Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Mobilizes for Ocean Survey Activities, Announces Kevin Wark as New Liaison to the Fishing Community

September 3, 2019 — The following was released by Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind:

Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, LLC (Atlantic Shores) ocean survey operations are planned to begin the month of September within the Atlantic Shores lease area to inform future turbine development.

Survey operations will encompass 183,000 acres located 8-20 miles off the New Jersey coast between Barnegat Light and Sea Isle City and are expected to conclude in the first half of October. The survey vessel Geosea will be utilized to characterize the seabed, collect samples and determine placement of data collection buoys, which will be deployed later this year to help measure wind, ocean and weather conditions.

Coinciding with the launch of survey operations, Atlantic Shores also announces Kevin Wark as its Fisheries Liaison Officer to help better communicate and collaborate with the recreational and commercial fishing industries as the project progresses.

“Kevin has hands-on knowledge of the maritime community in New Jersey, where he has been a resident his entire life and a fisherman for nearly 40 years,” said Doug Copeland Development Manager of Atlantic Shores. “The trust he has developed locally will be invaluable in fostering open communication and collaboration with these industries as we plan an Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm that works best for New Jersey.”

A third-generation resident of Long Beach Island, Wark began his career operating commercial boats at the age of 17 and has worked extensively in the ocean research field for institutions such as Delaware State University and Rutgers University, including nearly a decade of sturgeon sampling. Last winter he helped consult on the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) strategic plan for offshore wind.

Read the full release here