Wind Farms Coming 20-30 miles off VA Beach.

[Suavea]

If they or when they build wind farms off the coast 23-35 miles out. Just what kind of fish should we expect? Maybe more Pelagic fish closer than the shelf? I think it will be a good thing for us fishermen. What are your thoughts? Read the full story from the Pilot below.

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/offs...closer-reality

[SteveL]

There may be exclusion zones around the structures for safety and security. It is unclear to me at this time whether recreational fishermen will be allowed to closely approach the structures to fish.

Some Gulf of Mexico oil rigs do not have close approach restrictions, while others do. Some rigs in very deep water are actually floating structures anchored to the bottom and I believe that most of those do not allow close approach (under US coast guard restrictions).

We were allowed to fish under and around the Cove Point Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal structure in the MD Bay up until 9/11, now there is a 500 yd restriction. However even at that distance there is good striper fishing.

One other point of interest. Wind energy and other alternative energy technologies located in the marine environment have at least some adverse environmental impacts--there are no free rides. Wind turbines on land kill birds and bats, the U.S. fish and wildlife service recently issued a permit to a wind farm in the western US that authorizes golden eagle mortality. The wind farm at Mt Storm MD (located in western md in the high mountains) has caused bird mortalities. Wind turbines in the ocean may cause mortality of birds like gulls, terns, gannets, and other species. Almost all birds in the US are protected by the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act which is under the US Fish and Wildlife jurisdiction.

[Fish&Surf757]

This really excites me for the fact that my degree could potentially land me a job in this industry when i graduate. This would have to only make the fishing better. I could see schools of dolphin gathering around each leg of the structures in the summer months. Cobia making circles around the bases. Big sea bass and flounder hanging around them in the winter and summer. Huge schools of spades. Amberjacks could be abundant in that deeper water. Imagine hundreds of "south towers". If we could just convince them to let us fish around them, i could envision an entirely new form of fishing.

[David-C]

It would be so cool, athough unlikely, that we would get groupers and snappers, at least in the summer.

[Gotta Gaff 'Em]

Whether we can directly fish the structure or not there will be fish around the structure most certainly kings. Either way good fishin in what is really right now nearly a dead zone for sure