New England Aqua Ventus commissioned a scientific survey throughout March to gather information about the route for the cable to link the offshore wind turbine demonstration project near Monhegan to the mainland. The survey is being conducted in March at considerable expense to accommodate fishermen because there is less fishing activity at this time of year. One of the purposes of this survey is to identify a cable route that is most compatible with fishing and other current marine uses. The cable will be very similar to those that have long linked Maine island communities with the mainland. 

NEAV issued information for weeks prior to the start of the survey, and continues to do so regularly, through a wide range of channels about the timing and location of the survey activity. DMR also sent out two notices, which included instructions that fishing gear needed to be removed from the survey area. However, since the first offshore survey vessel began its work, the number of buoys in the survey route has more than doubled. Obstruction to the legal use of the public waters for this survey would delay a return to normal for fishermen.  

Project leaders have met in person and through Zoom calls on multiple occasions with fishing groups and individual fishermen since last August. NEAV urges all parties to allow for the safe operation of the survey vessels to provide for the safety and well-being of everyone on the water and a timely conclusion to the survey.