Saving Seafood

OPINION: Major Offshore Wind Projects Advance in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

May 25, 2018 — Commercial-scale offshore wind power may soon become a reality in New England. On May 23, Massachusetts electric distribution companies selected Vineyard Wind, a subsidiary of Avangrid Renewables, LLC, as the preferred provider of 800 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind generation to the Massachusetts power market, and Rhode Island selected Deepwater Wind as the preferred provider of 400 MW of offshore wind generation to the Rhode Island power market. Both companies propose to generate the electricity from wind projects they intend to construct on federal leases on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Massachusetts Vineyard Wind Project

In 2017, Massachusetts electricity distribution companies initiated a request for proposals (RFP) process to acquire 400-800 MW of offshore wind. The RFP process is provided for in a series of state laws (collectively known as Section 83C) requiring Massachusetts utilities to enter into long-term contracts for approximately 1,600 MW of offshore wind energy by June 30, 2027. Three companies submitted responses during the RFP process, each submitting multiple bids to provide different options.

On May 23, Vineyard Wind’s proposal to build an array of about 100 8-MW turbines (for a total capacity of approximately 800 MW), capable of supplying 5.5-6% of Massachusetts’ energy needs, won the RFP process. According to the proposal, power will be transmitted from the offshore wind facility through an undersea cable to Cape Cod, where it will tie in with existing transmission and substation infrastructure. The project also will incorporate distributed battery energy storage that would provide benefits to low-income residents and public buildings by establishing a “Resiliency and Affordability Fund” in partnership with Citizens Energy. Vineyard Wind would contribute $15 million to the fund over 15 years, with the objectives of fostering the “wide deployment of distributed battery energy storage,” providing credits to low-income ratepayers, and helping to implement energy storage and solar energy projects at public buildings.

Read the full opinion piece at The National Review

 

MASSACHUSETTS: 50 people who met at SMAST believe they can change the fishing industry

May 25, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — About 50 people assembled inside a classroom at UMass Dartmouth’s School of Marine Science and Technology on Wednesday night.

They formed the first Ocean Cluster meetup, merging the worlds of fishing and Internet of Things.

Those in the room believed the collaboration, small at its inception, has the potential to revolutionize the industry.

“This night, while there are only 50 of us here, is exactly how this happens,” said Chris Rezendes of CONTEXT LABS, ImpactLABS and Spherical Analytics.

Those who spoke at the event included: Ed Anthes-Washburn and Eli Powell of the New Bedford Port Authority, Cassie Canastra of BASE New England and the Whaling City Display Auction, Mike Carroll of LegitFish, Jeff Young of Advanced Marine Technologies, Liz Wiley of Spherical Analytics and Kevin Stokesbury of SMAST.

Each discussed the importance data plays in their respective organization.

Canastra and Carroll are working together to allow the fish auction to include blockchain technology for fishermen and purchasers.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

New England Council Holds Hearings on Herring Rule Changes, Plenty of Input Offered

May 24, 2018 — SEAFOOD NEWS — The series of hearings started on Tuesday in Narragansett, RI and will continue in Rockport, ME tonight. If Tuesday’s meeting is any indication, the New England Fisheries Management Council can expect more industry opposition to changes in the Atlantic herring fishery management plan tonight in Rockport.

The issue is about using “acceptable biological catch” or ABC, for setting the sustainable catch limit for herring, a standard used in most other management plans around the country. But using ABC in the control rule, which is set every three years, would limit flexibility compared to how the fishery has been managed in the past, reported Rhode Island Public radio’s (RINPR) Avory Brookins.

“We are going to need the flexibility in setting the (acceptable biological catch) over the coming years as we are expecting a decrease in quota due to poor recruitment in the fishery (recruitment is how many young fish are entering the population each year),” Katie Almeida, fishery policy analyst for the Town Dock, wrote.

Almeida said flexibility is important because recruitment is environmentally driven, the report said.

Another council concern is local depletion of herring stocks with other proposed restrictions.

RINPR quotes the Sustainable Fisheries Coalition, a group made up of commercial fishing companies that participate in the Atlantic herring fishery, as pointing out that “there is currently no evidence that the existing rules are causing localized depletion, or are harming the herring population in any way.”

The changes are part of Amendment 8 to the Atlantic Herring Fishery Management Plan. The Council’s hearings are to solicit comments on two of the major components in the amendment. They include:

(Part 1) 10 alternatives to establish a long-term acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rule that “may explicitly account for herring’s role in the ecosystem” plus “address the biological and ecological requirements of the stock;” and
(Part 2) nine primary alternatives to address potential localized depletion and user conflicts, with several spatial and seasonal sub-options designed to help minimizing biological and socioeconomic impacts.

After tonight’s hearing in Rockport, the Council will meet stakeholders in Gloucester on Wednesday, May 30, Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 5 (immediately following the close of business at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting), Portland, ME on June 12, (immediately following the close of business at the New England Fishery Management Council meeting), Chatham, MA on June 19, and a webinar on June 20.

For more information on Amendment 8 and the public hearings, see the NEFMC website here.

This story was originally published by Seafood News, it is republished here with permission.

 

Massachusetts: ‘Just one more nail in the coffin,’ fishermen react to Vineyard Wind announcement

May 24, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Ed Anthes-Washburn, the director of the New Bedford Port Authority, received a constant stream of calls Wednesday afternoon after the announcements of offshore wind contracts.

Those within the fishing industry have been preparing for the day when they’d have to share the ocean with offshore wind. However, they weren’t expecting two companies to be joining them so quickly.

“I think it’s fair to say the general reaction in the fishing industry is shock,” Anthes-Washburn said.

Massachusetts was scheduled to announce its bid winner on Wednesday, which was Vineyard Wind for an 800-megawatt wind farm about 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Rhode Island, unexpectedly, also offered Deepwater Wind a contract based on its pitch to Massachusetts for a 400-megawatt wind farm.

“The fishermen that we have been talking to have — from the outset — always advocated for start small and measure the impact,” Anthes-Washburn said. “So I was surprised that the project size for Vineyard Wind was as high as it was, but I didn’t even know that there could be 1,200-megawatts.”

Throughout the journey that led to Wednesday’s announcements, fishermen have voiced concerns regarding offshore wind and skepticism that their voices would be heard.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

Massachusetts Gains Foothold in Offshore Wind Power, Long Ignored in U.S.

May 24, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — On the waterfront of this fabled former whaling hub, the outlines of a major new industry are starting to appear.

Crews of research boats perform last-minute tuneups before heading out to map the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. A large weather buoy decked out with gear for measuring wind speeds waits on the quay for repairs. And a 1,200-foot stretch of the port has been beefed up to bear enormous loads.

New Bedford hopes to soon be the operations center for the first major offshore wind farm in the United States, bringing billions of dollars of investment and thousands of jobs to the town and other ports on the East Coast.

New England is particularly well suited to offshore wind farms. There is not enough land for wind turbines onshore, and the area is not ideal for solar power. At the same time, Massachusetts has been under pressure to find new sources of energy to replace aging conventional and nuclear plants, as well as meet targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions blamed for climate change.

“We know in light of Northern Europe’s experience with offshore wind that many U.S. ports will benefit from the arrival of the industry here,” Jon Mitchell, the New Bedford mayor, said in an interview.

Whether Massachusetts can pull of its ambitious plans will depend to some degree on local issues — and not everyone in the area is enthusiastic.

In particular, some of New Bedford’s fishermen are worried. The city’s port is already home to hundreds of fishing boats, as well as seafood auction houses and processing plants. It generates about $3.3 billion a year and supports about 6,200 jobs, according to the local authorities.

Eric Hansen, a scallop fisherman, said that he and his colleagues were concerned about threading their way through a relatively narrow allotted path through spinning turbines.

“Think fog, heavy seas,” he said.

Read the full story at the New York Times

Atlantic Capes installs massive IQF scallop tunnel in $5m plant upgrade

May 23, 2018 — Atlantic Capes Fisheries (ACF), one of the largest scallop firms on the US East Coast, has completed the primary phase of a $5 million investment in a plant in Fall River, Massachusetts, the company’s CEO told Undercurrent News.

The investment at ACF’s IQF Custom Packing plant includes an individual quick frozen (IQF) tunnel which is the largest of its kind in the US scallop sector, from Iceland’s Skaginn3X.

Also, ACF has installed a Skaggin3X slurry ice and delivery system, a new Hayssen Bagger, and new scallop grader in the plant.

Before the end of the year, ACF plans to complete the next phase of the IQF Custom Packing upgrade, Danny Cohen, ACF’s CEO, told Undercurrent.

This will see more value-added packing equipment, two truck loading bays, an expanded production office and automatic box making equipment added to the plant.

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

 

‘I was hopeful’: Vineyard Wind wins offshore wind contract with Massachusetts

May 23, 2018 — NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Vineyard Wind is the big winner of Massachusetts’ first offshore wind contract, but a second company, Deepwater Wind, will receive a contract from Rhode Island based on its Massachusetts bid, according to Massachusetts environmental officials.

Vineyard Wind has been selected for an 800-megawatt wind farm — about 100 turbines — in federal waters about 14 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard. Deepwater’s project, called Revolution Wind, will be half the size, and is located south of Little Compton, Rhode Island, and Westport, Massachusetts.

In the days leading up to the decision, people seemed to be talking about the idea that Massachusetts could split the award between two winners, according to Erich Stephens, Vineyard Wind’s chief development officer. Getting a full 800 megawatts came as a surprise, he said.

“I was hopeful we might get something,” he said.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell congratulated the companies.

Read the full story at the New Bedford Standard-Times

 

Massachusetts: New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center celebrates Portuguese Heritage

May 23, 2018 —  NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The following was released by the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center:

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will host a variety of programs to explore and celebrate Portuguese heritage during the month of June. Resident artists Manny Vinagre and Manny Catulo will demonstrate their crafts, a film chronicling the dory fishing days of the White Fleet will be shown, and Fado singer Ana Vinagre will entertain with songs of loss and longing. All events are free and open to the public.

Resident artist Manny Vinagre will demonstrate Portuguese decorative knot work on Saturday June 2nd and Saturday June 9th from 1:00 to 3:00 each day. Mr. Vinagre learned how to tie seaman’s knots at escolaprofisional de pesca (fish school) in Portugal over 50 years ago. Now a retired fisherman, he now creates intricately woven cintos (belts) and bolsas (bags) of his own design using synthetic rope.  Each belt or bag is unique, with original patterns created through the use of color and texture, that Manny plans out in his head for each piece.

On Friday, June 15th at 7:00 p.m., The Lonely Doryman will be the featured Dock-U-Mentary film. For more than four centuries, young Portuguese fishermen went to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and Greenland to fish for cod. Known as the Portuguese White Fleet, men set off on schooners under full sail to then drift in a flat-bottomed dory as they baited hundreds of hooks on long-lines. They labored 18 hours a day in pursuit of cod. This 1968 National Geographic film provides a rare window into this life.  Retired fisherman Manny Vinagre, who fished as part of the White Fleet before emigrating to New Bedford, will share memories of his dory fishing days. The film will be shown at the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park’s theater.

Resident artist Manny Catulo will demonstrate the art of model boat making on Saturday June 16th and Saturday June 30th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. Mr. Catulo recreates the traditional fishing boats that plied the waters of Portugal prior to World War II. These wooden boats predate the engine and were propelled by oar and sail. His detailed models begin as planked hulls and are then brightly painted in traditional blues, greens, and reds. He carves miniature oars, creates tiny anchors, fishing nets complete with floats and sinkers and even bailers. He will also have model boats on display.

A free concert featuring Ana Vinagre, one of the area’s best known, and most respected, Fadistas will take place on Thursday June 28th from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Born in Portugal, she immigrated to New Bedford as a young woman with her husband Jose. Both had been members of folkloric dance and music ensembles and they have continued to perform at area Portuguese restaurants, community events, and in festivals and concerts around the nation. They take great pride in their culture and enjoy teaching American audiences about the tradition of Fado music, a genre that developed in the port city of Lisbon and was performed at waterfront clubs and bars frequented by sailors and seamen.

This series is funded in part by Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs. For more information, email programs@fishingheritagecenter.org or call the Center at (508) 993-8894.

 

Comments to Vineyard Wind Draft Environmental Impact Report due June 8

May 23, 2018 — The following was released by Vineyard Wind:   

A reminder that comments to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Vineyard Wind project are due June 8. The DEIR is prepared in accordance with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, and as such is mostly concerned with project elements located within the Commonwealth, such as the transmission cables.

The public comment period will extend through June 8, 2018.  Anyone wishing to submit comments on the DEIR can send them to:

Secretary, Matthew A. Beaton
Attn: MEPA Office, Purvi Patel (EEA #15787)
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114

Or by email to purvi.patel@state.ma.us

The DEIR is available at the link here. Hard copies of the DEIR are available for viewing at the locations listed further below.

Vineyard Wind encourages comments to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office regarding the DEIR.  In addition, if you have any questions or comments for Vineyard Wind directly, please contact Nate Mayo, nmayo@vineyardwind.com, or cell phone number 617-840-4045.  Fishermen should contact Crista Bank, Fisheries Liaison, at cbank@vineyardwind.com.  Vineyard Wind also welcomes the opportunity to present to neighborhood associations and other civic groups—please contact Nate to schedule a time.

Draft Environmental Impact Report Hard Copy Locations

Hyannis Public Library

401 Main Street

Hyannis, MA 02601

South Yarmouth Library

312 Old Main Street

South Yarmouth, MA 02664

West Yarmouth Library

391 Main Street Route 28

West Yarmouth, MA 02673

Edgartown Public Library

26 Edgartown Road

Edgartown, MA 02539

Mashpee Public Library

64 Steeple Street

Mashpee, MA 02649

Learn more about Vineyard Wind by visiting  their site here.

 

Massachusetts: Vineyard Wind deploying floating LiDAR to assess project area

May 22, 2018 — The buoy will measure a number of parameters, including:

  • Wind speed at different heights above the water
  • Wave heights and frequency
  • Ocean currents (to aid in the final design of Vineyard Wind’s generating station)

Deployment of a SEAWATCH Wind LiDAR Buoy, also commonly known as “FLIDAR buoy,” on May 22nd will allow low power laser technology to measure wind speeds with high precision over a range of altitudes above the instrument. The buoy was designed and built by Fugro, a global provider of offshore services, offshore science, and working ships design. Fugro will also operate the buoy over the course of its deployment.

Mounted on the top of the buoy, FLIDAR is commonly used at airports and on commercial airliners to detect wind shear.

Read the full story at Windpower Engineering & Development