Saving Seafood

MASSACHUSETTS: State picks New Bedford waterfront site for ocean energy center

September 24, 2024 — The state’s alternative-energy development agency has chosen a waterfront spot for a center devoted to ocean-related power research, building and field-testing equipment, and cultivating new enterprises.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center wants to lease less than half an acre from the New Bedford Port Authority on MacArthur Boulevard encompassing the 19th-century Bourne Counting House and a parking area next to it.

The stone structure would provide office and meeting space. A portion of the parking lot is slated for a new structure for building prototypes for ocean-related energy technology — chiefly, but not exclusively, wind power.

“This project is an exciting new opportunity for New Bedford to develop technology businesses, generate new demand for existing businesses, and elevate its stature as a leader in maritime industries,” Mayor Jon Mitchell wrote in a letter to the City Council, sending along a proposed 15-year lease for consideration this week.

Mitchell wrote that the center — to be established next to Merrill’s restaurant, across MacArthur Boulevard from the Fairfield Inn & Suites — “will establish a platform on which marine technology of all types can be developed and commercialized into new businesses.” He said it will also serve as a meeting point for industry conferences.

Read the full article at the The New Bedford Light

New challenges to offshore wind

September 24, 2024 — Economic and supply-chain warning signs are flashing again in the international wind energy sector.

Turbine manufacturer GE Vernova said Sept 20 it will downsize its offshore efforts, after a reported $300 million third-quarter loss in its wind business overshadowed the marketing push of its top-line Haliade-X machine.

A Haliade-X turbine lost a blade to fracture on the Vineyard Wind project off Massachusetts in July, following two other blade failures on projects in Europe.

Read the full article at Workboat

Broken Blades, Angry Fishermen and Rising Costs Slow Offshore Wind

September 12, 2024 — The collapse of a giant wind turbine blade off the Massachusetts coast confirmed Peter Kaizer’s worst fears about the dangers a new clean energy business could pose to fishermen like him.

Jagged pieces of fiberglass and other materials from the shattered blade drifted with the tide, forcing officials to close beaches on Nantucket and leaving Mr. Kaizer worried about the threat the fragments might pose to his vessel and other fishing boats, especially at night when the debris would be harder to avoid.

“All these small boats could be subject to damage,” Mr. Kaizer said. “Everyone wants this green legacy, but at the cost of what?”

The blade, which was more than 300 feet long, failed in July, but the repercussions are still unfolding at the $4 billion project that it came from — Vineyard Wind 1. Developers had hoped to finish the project this summer, making it the first large-scale wind farm completed in U.S. waters, but now that goal will take a lot longer than expected.

The blade failure is the latest problem slowing the fledgling U.S. offshore wind industry, which the Biden administration and East Coast states are counting on to deliver emission-free energy to millions of people from Virginia to Maine. President Biden and governors of those states had hoped to follow the examples of European countries like Britain and Denmark, which have plunked down thousands of wind turbines around the North Sea.

But the American offshore wind business has struggled to get going because of cost overruns, delays in issuing permits, and opposition from local residents and fishing groups. Several large projects were canceled or postponed even before the blade failure in Massachusetts because their costs increased sharply and developers did not anticipate supply chain problems and higher interest rates.

Read the full article at The New York Times

Vineyard Wind’s Lights Still Visible As Promised Radar System Remains Inoperative

September 11, 2024 — Nearly a year after Vineyard Wind installed its first turbine off Nantucket, the lights atop the 800-foot towers – which the company promised would remain dark unless an aircraft was passing by – continue to blink incessantly on the horizon.

While the project remains suspended by the federal government following the July 13 blade failure that remains under investigation, Vineyard Wind has been allowed to resume some construction activities, and the lights atop the 24 turbines that have been installed to date have been an eyesore for many who enjoy Nantucket’s dark skies at night.

As part of Vineyard Wind’s mitigation agreement with the town of Nantucket – a document better known as the Good Neighbor Agreement that was signed back in 2020 – the company is required to install a so-called Aircraft Detection Lighting System or ADLS. This system will utilize radar to ensure the lights at the top of each turbine activate only when there is an aircraft close to the wind farm area.

Vineyard Wind initially pledged to have the system operational by Memorial Day weekend. After that deadline came and went, the company pledged in June that the ADLS would be up and running “within the next several weeks.” Now, nearly three months after that statement, there is still no definitive timeline for when the system will be active.

Read the full article at Nantucket Current

Mass. and Rhode Island pick 3 new wind projects, with less power than originally sought

September 9, 2024 — Massachusetts and Rhode Island announced the winners of their joint offshore wind auction on Friday. The three projects selected will be built south of Nantucket and collectively produce up to 2,878 megawatts of electricity — or about what it takes to power 1.6 million homes.

While this total is less than half of what the states originally sought to procure, it helps bring them closer to their legally binding offshore wind targets.

Connecticut, which was also part of the multi-state effort to solicit proposals, did not select any bids on Friday, but left the door open to doing so in the future. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the state was still evaluating projects and would announce “a final decision” about its solicitation “at a future date.”

When the three states announced their partnership, they had hoped to procure 6,800 megawatts of power — Massachusetts wanted 3,600 megawatts, Connecticut wanted 2,000 megawatts and Rhode Island wanted 1,200.

Though they missed that target, Massachusetts officials touted the bids as great news, noting that it is the largest offshore wind procurement to date in New England.

“We’re going big,” Gov. Maura Healey said at a press conference Friday. “These projects will help create a stronger economy, massive economic development, and importantly, lower electricity costs for our residents and our businesses.”

Read the full article at wbur

MASSACHUSETTS: Mass. picks more offshore wind projects. All three will rely heavily on New Bedford.

September 9, 2024 — In what Gov. Maura Healey’s administration has dubbed the “Largest Offshore Wind Selection in New England History,” Massachusetts officials have made the state’s selections known relative to the latest round of offshore wind project bidding. Massachusetts’ total of 2,678 selected megawatts represents inclusion in three different wind farm projects, all of which are connected to the SouthCoast region: SouthCoast Wind, New England Wind 1, and Vineyard Wind 2.

“Through this procurement, offshore wind will power over 1.4 million Massachusetts homes and reduce the state’s carbon emissions by the equivalent of taking one million gas-powered cars off the road,” the Healey-Driscoll Administration wrote in a press release. “Collectively, these projects will create thousands of jobs and generate billions of economic activity.”

Read the full article at The Standard-Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Shucktember!

September 4, 2024 — The following was released by the Massachusetts Aquaculture Association:

Ease into September and support your local oyster farmers by enjoying some Bay State
grown oysters! During the month of September, several Massachusetts growers will donate $1 to the
Massachusetts Aquaculture Association (MAA) for every 100 count bag sold. Eating more Massachusetts
grown oysters during September not only offers oyster lovers the opportunity to enjoy oysters at their
peak but will also support the grower’s organization. MAA is a non-profit trade association that
represents the interests of oyster farmers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Currently, there are
over 400 licensed growers in Massachusetts farming more than 1,300 acres producing shellfish with a
reported value of over $31 million.

The fresh and briny taste of oysters represents more than just good food, but a healthy economy and
environment. Shucktember is a fund-raising effort for the MAA that benefits from the sales of
Massachusetts-grown oysters during the month of September. By supporting the MAA, you are
supporting the growth and support of oyster farms from Cape Ann to Buzzards Bay to Cape Cod to
Martha’s Vineyard and all points between! By ordering Massachusetts-farmed oysters during September,
you help keep our seafood local and support the 2,000 jobs that are made possible by the oyster farming
industry.

The MAA’s Shucktember fund-raiser relies on the voluntary participation of oyster growers, dealers, and
restaurants. Participants are encouraged to contribute 1 cent per oyster that they sell during the month
of September. The funds from Shucktember will support the MAA’s initiatives to address problems that
impact the oyster farming industry and its community members in Massachusetts. According to the MAA
President, Seth Garfield, “We’re not only moving into the time of year when Massachusetts oysters are
at peak condition but purchases of Massachusetts oysters during Shucktember provides customers with
the added benefit of supporting Massachusetts oyster growers through our growers voluntarily
contributing a portion of their sales to the MAA”.

As the frenetic activity of the summer months slows down, show your support by buying and ordering
oysters from our partner farms, businesses, and restaurants. Eating more Massachusetts farmed oysters
during Shucktember is a delicious way to support MAA’s work on behalf of the Commonwealth’s
shellfish growers. Created by MAA, Shucktember was inspired by Ben Lloyd, of Pangea Shellfish and
Massachusetts Aquaculture Association member, we hope to gain your support and make this year our
most successful year to date!

Fast Facts:
● In 2023, over 50 million oysters were produced in the state annually generating more than
$31 million in farm sales.

● The harvesting, sales, and supply chain of oysters supports over 2,000 jobs in the
Commonwealth – including the support of businesses in local communities.

● Oysters are the third most valuable seafood in Massachusetts.

● The MAA represents 25% of the industry. The MAA works with State and Federal
regulators of the seafood industry to keep our water clean, support our growers in times of
hardship, and ensure Massachusetts restaurants are serving local oysters.

● Oysters also provide significant environmental benefit with one adult oysters capable of
filtering 50 gallons of water a day. Oyster reefs can “shore-up” the coastline and attenuate
waves to decrease storm surges.

● Over the past 5 years, the MAA has helped with Covid-19 related business issues, addressed
and supported the implementation of new regulations from the Federal government, and
became a partner of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).

● The MAA works with the DMF to address local issues, guide growers through the grant and
permitting application process, and expand the presence of aquaculture in Massachusetts

○ This includes acting as an advocate by working with elected Massachusetts officials
to address water quality issues in Buzzards Bay that directly impacts 5 shellfish
farms.

Shucktember is made possible through the support of several farm businesses that include:
Barnstable Seafarms – Barnstable
Billingsgate Shellfish – Wellfleet
Cottage City Oysters – Oak Bluffs

Cotuit Oysters – Cotuit
Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms – Gosnold
Ichabod Flat Oysters – Plymouth

Island Creek Oysters – Duxbury
Merry Oysters – Duxbury
Padanaram Oysters – Dartmouth

Pangea Shellfish Company – Boston
Plymouth Rock Oysters – Plymouth

Sandy Neck Oysters – Barnstable
Saquish Oysters – Saquish

Signature Oysters – Katama
Sweetheart Creek – Yarmouth
Ward Aquafarms – Falmouth

*The list of participants in Shucktember 2024 is still growing, for more information about MAA please visit MAAquaculture.org.

The Massachusetts Aquaculture Association (MAA), is a non-profit Trade Association formed in 1986 to promote the continued development of aquaculture and to improve conditions affecting aquaculture in Massachusetts. The goals of MAA are to represent the interests of Massachusetts aquatic farmers, to encourage promotion of high-quality aquaculture products, to grow a thriving aquaculture industry, facilitate the development and transfer of relevant technology and to maintain an effective network between industry, government, and researchers.

MASSACHUSETTS: A landmark celebration of fishing heritage and community

September 3, 2024 — The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center has installed a striking new landmark in the heart of the City’s Seaport Historic District. Catch the Tradition captures the spirit and enduring legacy of New Bedford, the nation’s most valuable fishing port, and invites visitors to explore the story of commercial fishing, one of the world’s oldest industries, through the Fishing Heritage Center. The public is invited to attend an official unveiling and dedication of the installation on Thursday, September 12 (AHA Night) at 6:00 PM.

Catch the Tradition features an authentic fishing net draped across the entire facade of a historic building at 38 Bethel Street and seven massive documentary images ranging in size, with the largest being 17 feet tall. The images, captured by four emerging and established local photographers (Shareen Davis, Phil Mello, Leia Onofrey, and Peter Pereira), provide a window into the lives of those who work to bring seafood from boat to table.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Fishermen protest at Vineyard Wind as broken turbines energize wind opponents

August 27, 2024 — New England fishing captains held a floating protest against offshore wind Sunday in the waters surrounding Vineyard Wind.

They say the fiberglass debris strewn in the water in July from a broken wind turbine blade has only made them more concerned about living with turbines.

“We’re really concerned about wind farms in the ocean-based environment, and we’re not happy with what’s going on with the current one,” Nantucket charter fishing captain Carl Bois said.

About two dozen boats participated in the protest, he said.

Three offshore wind blades of the type used at Vineyard Wind have suffered failures since May, the most recent on Thursday in the United Kingdom.

Problems with blades on the Haliade-X turbines have energized local offshore wind opponents. As fishing boats protested at Vineyard Wind Sunday, a small group of Nantucket residents protested on the island at Cisco Beach, the Nantucket Current reported.

Nantucket fisherman and charter captain Pete Kaizer, who participated in the protest by boat, told CAI he worries offshore development will contribute to species decline.

“People say, ‘Oh, it’ll come back. It’ll all come back.’ Well, look at all the fisheries that haven’t come back,” he said, citing cod, herring, and mackerel. “They’re at rock bottom.”

Read the full story at WCAI