Inshore enterprise owners can (should) apply to sit on advisory groups on offshore wind development
Inshore owner-operators on the south/southwest coasts should consider applying to sit on one of three advisory groups to the committee assessing offshore wind development in the province — because future wind farms could have a massive impact on your enterprise/fishing grounds.
By 2035 an offshore windmill may reach 495 feet in height, with a 820-foot wingspan. The proposed area for wind development farms in waters off Newfoundland and Labrador include a huge chunk of the south/south west coasts of the island.
There are three advisory groups, and while fisheries is the most obvious fit for the owners of inshore fishing enterprises, you might also consider either the community knowledge/scientific information group or the indigenous group.
To apply, download and fill out this expression of interest form:
Expression of Interest Form
.pdf
Download PDF • 196KB
And email to this address: OffshoreWindNL-EolienneExtracotiereTNL@iaac-aeic.gc.ca
From there, the committee will review the applications, and contact people directly if their applications are approved.
Find all members' names listed in the public, fisheries, and stakeholders participation plan: https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/documents/p84343/152983E.pdf
As it stands, the only licensed inshore enterprise owner on either of the three advisory groups is Gerard Chidley of Renews (scientific Information/community knowledge group).
Katie power, the FFAW's "energy industry liaison", sits on both that committee and the fisheries committee.
Fishermen have told me directly that either the president or secretary-treasurer of the FFAW-Unifor should serve on the advisory groups.
I agree, but enterprise owners themselves should have their finger on the offshore wind development pulse.
The FFAW posted on its website this week that the regional offshore wind assessment committee was hosting the union at two virtual engagement sessions this week.
In fact, the meetings were for the members of the two advisory groups — fisheries, and scientific/community knowledge.
Ryan Cleary,
Executive Director, SEA-NL
Seaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (SEA-NL) is a professional, non-profit organization that serves as the distinct voice for licensed, independent owner-operator inshore fish harvesters. Visit sea-nl.ca to join. Contact me at sea-nl@outlook.com or 709 682 4862.