EnBW North America has appointed Beth Casoni as the company’s fisheries liaison and has joined the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance’s (RODA) joint industry task force devoted to address issues of mutual interest to commercial fisheries and offshore wind.
The company said its immediate attention is on the New York Bight – an area off the coasts of New York and New Jersey, where the federal Bureau of Offshore Energy Management is expected to auction wind lease areas in late 2020.
EnBW North America managing director Bill White said: “We are thrilled to add Beth Casoni’s deep experience and keen insight into the fishing industry to our team as EnBW North America works toward responsibly developing clean offshore wind energy here in the Northeast.
“At the same time, we’re honored to be the first non-lease-holding company invited to join RODA’s joint industry task force, a coalition focused on improving the compatibility of emerging offshore wind developments with commercial fishing industry businesses.”
EnBW North America said it made the decision to retain Casoni before obtaining site control in order to fully engage with the fishing community before project design and development.
Casoni has worked at the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, the Bay State’s oldest and largest fishing industry organisation, since 2007 and has served as its executive director since 2014.
Her experience includes serving on the Massachusetts Ocean Advisory Commission, which contributed to development of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan.
She serves also on the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Team and several fisheries and seafood marketing boards, including the New England Marine Fisheries Herring and Habitat Advisory Panel and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Herring Advisory Panel.
She said: “I’m honoured to join Bill and the EnBW North America team as Fisheries Liaison.
“I first met Bill when he co-chaired the Massachusetts Fisheries Working Group on Offshore Wind and know first-hand his respect for the fishing industry.
“I look forward to engaging with the fishing industry and guiding EnBW North America forward in this vital role.”
Casoni will be EnBW North America’s point of contact with commercial and recreational fishermen, fishing industry representatives and associations, seeking input from them on offshore wind related issues and conveying to them timely information about EnBW North America’s activities.
Among other duties, Casoni will inform and develop best management practices and strategies that support the coexistence off offshore wind and fishing.
EnBW North America said membership of RODA’s joint industry task force gives the company a seat at the table to work with an organisation designed to provide a unified voice on issues of mutual interest to offshore wind and fishing.
RODA is a coalition of fisheries and seafood groups devoted to improving the compatibility of emerging offshore development and businesses associated with the commercial fishing industry.
RODA executive director Annie Hawkins said “RODA formed the joint industry task force earlier this year as a special project to bring our members together with the offshore wind energy sector outside of the regulatory environment.
“As the two industries seek ways to share our ocean and its resources, the task force provides a collaborative and transparent forum to explore ways to collectively minimise risks.
“We applaud EnBW’s proactive approach to considering fishing concerns and working constructively toward solutions through its participation in this effort.”