US Wind is partnering with Sea Risk Solutions to help with the company’s engagement efforts with fishermen in Maryland and the greater Delmarva region.
Sea Risk Solutions is a US-based small business with global and regional experience in facilitating coexistence between offshore infrastructure developers and fishing communities.
Wolfgang Rain and Ron Larsen at Sea Risk will be US Wind’s fisheries liaisons for the commercial and recreational sectors.
The partnership will ensure ongoing, consistent dialogue with fishermen as development activities ramp up, US Wind said.
“Efforts will focus on the dissemination of information related to project milestones and survey activity, promotion of collaborative business opportunities, and coordination of regular opportunities to gather and respond to questions and concerns from the community,” the company said.
US Wind director of external affairs Nancy Sopko (pictured) said: “US Wind is committed to early, often, and continuous dialogue and information sharing with the fishermen in our region.
“Getting Sea Risk Solutions onboard, particularly Wolfgang and Ron with their vast experience and connections in the fishing community is a huge step forward in these engagement efforts.”
Lead fisheries liaison Rain said: “We are excited to support US Wind in developing this critical offshore renewable energy project by acting as their fisheries liaisons.
“By working closely with local and regional fishermen, we can facilitate an exchange of information to help inform the wind farm development activities.
“We look forward to engaging with the area’s fishermen and establishing a foundation for the long-term, cooperative relationship US Wind desires with its offshore neighbours.”
He has over 23 years of experience as a commercial fisherman and fisheries biologist.
Rain also has expertise in subsea cable permitting and regulatory issues, offshore wind development in the UK and Atlantic USA, liaison with maritime authorities, shipping interests, government agencies and fishermen in more than 20 countries.
Larsen has over 30 years of fisheries and subsea infrastructure planning experience.
US Wind acquired a federal lease area off the coast of Maryland in 2014 that could support up to 1.5GW of offshore wind capacity.