South Fork Wind creating "reef effect"

Fishing Machine Charters, Pt. Judith, RI hooked up with cod, pollock and cunner in the Cox Ledge area wind farm this winter.

Fish abundance and a large variety of fish can be seen at pylons, on scour protection and at cable mattresses.

Blue mussels dominate monopile surfaces in shallow water; here at a water depth of less than 2 m (6.6 ft), blue mussels lived among invertebrate turf and tufts of red algae.

South Fork Wind creating “reef effect”

The South Fork Wind Benthic Monitoring Program released a visual survey earlier this month conducted at South Fork Wind (SFW), an offshore wind farm located 16.5 nautical miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island in the Cox Ledge area.  The survey shows that the wind farm has had minimal environmental impact on the surrounding marine ecosystem and has created a positive “reef effect.”

Similar “reef effects” have been documented by peer reviewed studies at European wind farms and during a seven-year study at the Block Island Wind Farm, which showed there was a greater amount of Atlantic cod and black sea bass in the wind farm area compared to two control areas outside the wind farm, and all other species abundance was even.

Simply put, so far at 18 months out, South Fork Wind is yielding new habitat and fish.

James Riggs, a recreational fishing representative on the Fisheries Advisory Board (FAB) of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), said, “The enhanced ecology that I clearly see will only compound with time and become more and more prolific. It gives me hope that we can see a real benefit from what is already structurally out there, and will be for a long time. There may be opportunities to enhance or improve on existing and or proposed marine infrastructure projects.”

Key findings of the study include no detectable changes to the biological communities on the seafloor surrounding the turbines; marine life is using the wind turbine foundations as habitat; and the project is already creating a reef effect, providing habitat for commercially, recreationally, and ecologically important marine species.

South Fork Wind’s comprehensive benthic (seafloor) monitoring program includes target visual studies at pre-construction, construction and post- construction time periods, which is something that fishermen advocated for.  Comprehensive monitoring, like this study, is a requirement and aims to protect valuable marine resources and habitat.

To meet this requirement, independent science teams have conducted extensive visual monitoring surveys of the wind farm pylons, scour protection at the base of pylons, and cabling and bolder relocation areas. 

Pictures speak louder than words

The good news is that SFW benthic surveys have not detected demonstrable change in the biological community or benthic functions associated with pylons, cable routes or bolder relocation.  Striking video and still images taken before, during and after construction show extensive blue mussel growth and fish at pylons and in the surrounding area.  See videos and still images at South Fork Wind Benthic Monitoring Program.

“I was very surprised with the mussel growth on pylons that has occurred so quickly.  The video footage clearly showed the creation of life on the pylons and at the base of the pylons on the scour protection,” said Fred Mattera, executive director of the Commercial Fisheries Center of Rhode Island, which represents nine commercial fishing-related organizations in Rhode Island.

Mattera said, “These structures are creating new habitat and life. The amount and variety of fish captured on video footage is incredible.”

This past summer and winter there were numerous fishing reports from charter captains and anglers catching tuna, cod and an abundance of mahi-mahi at South Fork Wind.

“Simply put, my position is neither for or against offshore wind development, but if there is a way to improve marine habitat and strive for the goal of fish abundance I am all for it.  I will do my best to advocate for recreational fishermen's interests whenever I can,” said James Riggs of the FAB.

The South Fork Wind benthic visual surveys document the reef effect and reveal numerous commercially, recreationally and ecologically important species. Black sea bass, lobster, and flounder were documented near the structures.  Other species observed included Atlantic cod, scup, cunner, barrel fish, flounder, butterfish, jack, mahi mahi, trigger fish, Bermuda chub, winter and summer flounder, sculpin, spotted and red hake, ocean pout and the Atlantic rock/Jonah crabs.

Other studies being conducted as part of the South Fork research and monitoring plan include gillnet and fish pot surveys, a ventless trap survey, a beam trawl survey, mechanical jigging study, and acoustic telemetry studies.   Visit South Fork Wind Farm Fisheries Monitoring — CFRF and an article on the Marine Fish Conservation Network blog for details on the South Fork Wind research and monitoring plan.

Where’s the bite?

Striped bass/bluefish.  “Striper fishing is spotty.  The are scattered.  Narragansett Bay’s East Passage is still a good bet,” said Nick Krajewski of Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown. Ryan Collins of My Fishing Cape Cod, said, “For boat anglers there's been some awfully large striped bass caught in Cape Cod Bay and Buzzard's Bay.” East End Eddie Doherty, Cape Cod Canal fishing expert and author, said, “Last week began with the west end producing on the early west tide without breaks during daylight. Jay Saucier, vacationing from Old Town, Maine, hooked a high-end slot with a bone-colored Savage during an early dropping tide. Carlos Reis from Falmouth, enticed a 40-inch beast with his green Striper Gear Shaddy Daddy that brought the Boga down to 25 pounds! High hook went to Sandwich’s Joe “Green Gloves” Moneghan bouncing a green mac jig off the bottom to deceive two 47s and a 48-inch monster!”  Declan O’Donnell of Breachway Bait & Tackle, Charlestown, said, “Striped bass fishing remains productive, with a good variety of sizes being caught. Bluefish are still present, and there have been reports of some good-sized ones.”  “Last week I caught a 32” and three smaller bass at Narrow River, Narragansett on an incoming tide.  Used my burgundy color fly that caught some hickory shad as well,” said Ed Lombardo, fly fishing expert and instructor.

Tautog season closes May 31. Anglers have filed fewer reports as the spring season comes to an end.

Black sea bass, summer flounder (fluke) and scup.  Last week I caught small keeper fluke north of the Jamestown Bridge on American Ledge.  Angler Matthew Haczynski reports fishing Block Island Monday, “After a lot of slow fishing all of a sudden we loaded the cooler ending with all anglers on the boat limiting out.  The tides nearest to slack produced best.”  Nick Krajewski of Quaker Lane, said, “Anglers are catching keeper scup and black sea bass now.”                                                                                                                                     

Freshwater. Some ponds restocked with trout for Memorial Day. For information in RI visit Fish & Wildlife | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and in Massachusetts visit Freshwater Fishing | Mass.gov.