[Rimarinefisheries] Vineyard Wind Mariner Update – Bottom Trawl Survey

OFFSHORE WIND MARINER UPDATE NO. 31 [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]
Fisheries Bottom Trawl Survey [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]

Dear Fisherman,

The Fishing Vessel Endurance, working with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) will conduct fisheries bottom trawl surveys in the Vineyard Wind lease areas in August and September. The surveys [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]follow the Northeast Area Monitoring Assessment Program (NEAMAP) protocols and are being conducted in the Vineyard Wind Lease Areas 501 (North and South) and 522, and a control area (see chart).

Trip #1 will survey in lease area 501 North with 20 tows inside the lease area and 20 tows in the adjacent control area from August 24th through August 29th. Trip #2 will survey in lease areas 501 South and 522 with 10 tows in each from August 31st to September 6th.

Vineyard Wind is committed to communicating and working with local fishermen in the region during all stages of development of proposed offshore wind farms. If you are fishing or plan to fish in the survey area during this time period, please contact a Vineyard Wind Fisheries Liaison with any questions or comments.

Thank you.

Crista Bank, Vineyard Wind Fisheries Liaison: cbank@vineyardwind.com, 508-525-0421 

Caela Howard, Vineyard Wind Fisheries Liaison: choward@vineyardwind.com, 508-386-9832

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F/V ENDURANCE

CAPTAIN:  Armando Estudante

EMAIL: endurance@skymate.com 

Standing by on VHF Channels 13 & 16

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OTHER ACTIVE MARINER UPDATES [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]

NO. 29 – GEOTECHNICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEYS

The Survey Vessel DANIELLE MILLER will be performing geotechnical and environmental surveys in the southern half of Vineyard Wind Lease Area (OCS-A 0501), along a small corridor of the northern portion of Vineyard Wind Lease Area (OCS-A 0501), and along the Offshore Export Cable Corridor through Muskeget Channel and into Nantucket Sound beginning on or about July 30, 2020. The survey operations will continue into October 2020. READ MORE >> [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]

NO. 28 – GEOTECHNICAL SURVEYS

Vessel GEOQUIP SPEER is conducting geotechnical surveys in the northern portion of
Vineyard Wind Lease Area OCS-A-0501 beginning on or about July 24, 2020. The 275 foot survey vessel is expected to continue geotechnical survey operations for 10 weeks, ending in late September. READ MORE >> [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]

NO. 27 – GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS IN NANTUCKET SOUND AND MUSKEGET CHANNEL

Vessel LEEWAY STRIKER is conducting geophysical surveys along the offshore export cable corridor in Nantucket Sound and Muskeget Channel. The 70 foot vessel started work on or about July 22nd and survey operations are expected to continue into October 2020. READ MORE >> [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]

NO. 26 – GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS

Vessel LEEWAY ODYSSEY and the EGS VENTUS are conducting geophysical surveys in the the southern portion of the Vineyard Wind Lease Area OCS-A-0501 and a small corridor in the norther portion of OCS-A-0501. The LEEWAY ODYSSEY began operations on or about July 9 and will be followed by the EGS VENTUS. Survey operations are expected to continue into October 2020. READ MORE >> [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]

NO. 25 – ANNUAL LOBSTER/SEABASS/PLANKTON SURVEYS

F/V Rock & Roll and F/V Encourager began conducting fisheries surveys with the School for Marine Science and Technology and the Mass. Lobstermen’s Association starting on or about June 12th and are expected to continue into October 2020.  The surveys are conducted in the northern portion of the Vineyard Wind lease area OCS-A-0501 and a control area to the east. The surveys cover lobster, black sea bass, and plankton. READ MORE >> [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]

NO. 22 – DATA COLLECTION BUOY REPLACEMENT

Please be advised that the Vineyard Wind Lighted Research Buoy (VWM-01) was deployed on May 16, 2019 and is expected to remain on site through 2020. The VWM-01 buoy collects met-ocean data for the Vineyard Wind project. The buoy is located approximately 43 nm from the port of New Bedford and approximately 17nm off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. Fishermen and mariners are requested to note the buoy location and to maintain a safe distance during fishing and marine activities. The buoy is moored using open link chain, with a heavy chain anchor. READ MORE >> [ic.t.hubspotemail.net]