Offshore wind, local shops, crabbing, and more

[Chrisper4694]

Remember.... adding obvious structure like this doesnt magically make more fish appear. It draws from the biomass already nearby. Also the very obvious and easy to target structure now puts extra strain on the fishery due to the ease of targeting them.... and this is all a big HUGE IF they even allow vessels near them.... which, knowing our government, they will NOT.

We discuss all this in the episode as well.

[Jigman13]

The turbines off block island power next to nothing. Ask a block island local like I did while I was there 3 years ago. They still burn mostly fossil fuels for energy. The turbines generate next to nothing, and that's when they're actually working.

Do they draw fish? Yes. An artificial reef would've done the same without the eye sore of those ridiculous turbines.

This is the 2nd time it's been halted. I hope it stays that way.

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

The turbines off block island power next to nothing. Ask a block island local like I did while I was there 3 years ago. They still burn mostly fossil fuels for energy. The turbines generate next to nothing, and that's when they're actually working.

Do they draw fish? Yes. An artificial reef would've done the same without the eye sore of those ridiculous turbines.

This is the 2nd time it's been halted. I hope it stays that way.

Yeah, these hings just arent efficient enough for the power grids they supply here... its fact. People just like to pretend being pro wind makes them a good person i think idk. It defies logic.

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

The turbines off block island power next to nothing. Ask a block island local like I did while I was there 3 years ago. They still burn mostly fossil fuels for energy. The turbines generate next to nothing, and that's when they're actually working.

Do they draw fish? Yes. An artificial reef would've done the same without the eye sore of those ridiculous turbines.

This is the 2nd time it's been halted. I hope it stays that way.

They really were not meant to .
It was a pilot project . They are done on a super small scale to work out the bugs before a large project is done .

They didn’t meet the requirements of five years to even be considered worthy of information besides it DIDNT work .
They are all offline , and like you said now a ridiculous eyesore .

[Jigman13]

Correct, sir. Now they'll slowly fall apart and become a navigational hazard lol.

Originally Posted by hammer4reel

They really were not meant to .
It was a pilot project . They are done on a super small scale to work out the bugs before a large project is done .

They didn’t meet the requirements of five years to even be considered worthy of information besides it DIDNT work .
They are all offline , and like you said now a ridiculous eyesore .

[hammer4reel]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

Correct, sir. Now they'll slowly fall apart and become a navigational hazard lol.

ABSOLUTELY

[sbalewitz74]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

Because a ""junkyard"" if it were sunk to the bottom, would be absolutely teeming with invertebrates and fish life within the first year..

The bottom near the Block Island wind towers has become a great fishing area, loaded with life. I imagine some people screamed about offshore oil rigs as well years ago, yet Gulf anglers and charter captains would scream if they were removed these days.. Same story throughout European offshore wind farms.. Loaded with fish. I can understand if the towers were an eyesore for beachfront towns, but if they are beyond the horizon I just don't understand the consternation.. Lots of sand bottom out there with fairly sparse life.. Many anglers that are complaining would probably be among the first out there drifting around those steel supports. Look, I don't live there, and getting up in age so I have doubts it will ever affect me personally, but I don't understand the problem so many have with the towers that are proven fish magnets.. No one would complain a bit if they were going to sink 100 old barges out there.. Is it a visual thing?... Killing of some gulls and terns? Hopefully some cormorants as well!... I don't think they will generate enough power to even make them worthwhile, but from what I gather on these pages, its the environmental impact most are worried about.....

If the windfarm idea is so great and good for the environment why would anyone care if they were visible from shore? Same NIMBY bullshit.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by sbalewitz74

If the windfarm idea is so great and good for the environment why would anyone care if they were visible from shore? Same NIMBY bullshit.

I don't think they are great or particularly good or bad for the environment.. I only think the structures and adjacent bottom would create a lot of new habitat, and that fishing around them would be very good to spectacular in a few short years..


Offshore oil rigs are certainly not good for the environment, and are eyesores of the highest order... However, ask a few gulf fishermen if they would like them removed..

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by bulletbob

I don't think they are great or particularly good or bad for the environment.. I only think the structures and adjacent bottom would create a lot of new habitat, and that fishing around them would be very good to spectacular in a few short years..


Offshore oil rigs are certainly not good for the environment, and are eyesores of the highest order... However, ask a few gulf fishermen if they would like them removed..

Ask the government if vessels will even be allowed to be next to the wind turbines to fish.... so yeah, once they are in and start pulling fish off our current structure (even if thats what happens) thatll mean less fish to target cause they wont even let you near them.

[bulletbob]

Originally Posted by Chrisper4694

Ask the government if vessels will even be allowed to be next to the wind turbines to fish.... so yeah, once they are in and start pulling fish off our current structure (even if thats what happens) thatll mean less fish to target cause they wont even let you near them.

If access is limited in ANY way then all bets are off.. There is great access at Block Island, and lots of fish. If NJ/NY restricts access, then I would be outraged if I were a NJ salt water fisherman.

Again, I don't buy the "it pulls fish from other places" theory.. If that were that big a problem, Every time a wreck was sunk, or an artificial reef expanded, fishing would be poor in other spots, because the local fish populations "moved out".. Might be a small concern for a season or two, but increased habitat will lead to better populations in the long run, and less pressure on areas that have traditionally been fished hard.
Access is everything.. I would be singing a different tune if access were denied , no question.... bob