BOEM Central Atlantic Planning Area - Clam and Scallop Industry Stakeholder Meeting
2022-01-06 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Virtual
Dear Fisheries Representatives and Leaders:

I am reaching out to you as a group regarding upcoming working meetings BOEM is hosting for commercial fishermen regarding the Central Atlantic draft Planning Area. We are specifically seeking fishing industry participation (fishermen, fishing & processing businesses and organizations, fishing associations) in these meetings.

The meetings are scheduled with a focus on the primary fisheries that operate in the respective sectors. However, if you or others are unable to attend the meeting focused on your fishery sector you may attend the meeting that better fits your schedule on the other dates.

The meetings primary audience, date, time and Zoom registration link are below.

BOEM Central Atlantic Planning Area – Trap, Pot, and Fixed Gear Fisheries Stakeholder Meeting
Jan 5, 2022 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern
Register: https://cbuilding.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMlf-GrqzsuG9bJBced7J4808zZrjbxdoLs

BOEM Central Atlantic Planning Area – Trawl and Mixed Trawl Fisheries Stakeholder Meeting
Jan 5, 2022 01:00 PM – 03:00 PM Eastern
Register: https://cbuilding.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sde2rqTssEt0zNDi1wu22Xya37wiAU2ix

BOEM Central Atlantic Planning Area – Recreational Fishing Stakeholder Meeting
Jan 5, 2022 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM Eastern
Register: https://cbuilding.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMpdeGvqDMvHdfLJlk2OMpL2lB0mD4Ua1af

BOEM Central Atlantic Planning Area – Clam and Scallop Industry Stakeholder Meeting
Jan 6, 2022 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern
Register: https://cbuilding.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwrcOmhrT4sGNz7rDCY8upHx4owYoo-Cbsv

For background, at the request of several Central Atlantic states, BOEM has begun planning a Central Atlantic Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force meeting to explore the suitability of areas for wind energy development off the coast of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina (from Cape Hatteras-North). This meeting is tentatively set for February 16, 2022.

At this early planning stage, we would like to engage commercial and recreational fishing communities to get feedback on a very broad, general draft Planning Area. Feedback will be considered when developing a draft Call for Information and Nominations area which will be presented at the February Task Force Meeting for discussion. Please see the attached map with this initial, broad planning area. Please note that as in most other similar planning efforts, the actual lease areas to be designated will encompass a smaller footprint than this initial planning area.

This is an opportunity for the fisheries community to inform the lease area planning process from the very beginning, and we are eager to gain the perspective of the fishing industry so that it might be refined to avoid or minimize potential conflicts with existing uses.

During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to comment on this wide area of interest, help us identify areas of greater fishing effort and habitats of importance to help avoid or reduce impacts to fishing from potential offshore wind development.

If you have any questions, please contact myself or Branson Jensen (contact information below).

Sincerely,
Bridgette Duplantis
BOEM Project Coordinator, Central Atlantic Renewable Energy
Brandon Jensen
Fisheries Biologist, BOEM
brandon.jensen@boem.gov
