Empire Wind 1 Fisheries Compensation Program
The Empire Wind 1 Fisheries Compensation Program has been established to provide compensation to commercial and charter/for hire fishermen along with shoreside businesses that have been economically impacted by Empire Wind 1’s construction and operation activities. The compensation program is designed to minimize the administrative and documentation burden on fishers and to streamline the compensation process for impacted parties.
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Shoreside Services
Located within 10 miles of New Bedford, Cape May or Point Pleasant, or having more than 20% of business associated with:
- Located within 10 miles of New Bedford, Cape May or Point Pleasant, or having more than 20% of business associated with the project area.
- Having the majority of business revenues [50% of total revenue or more] documented in an up or downstream fishing support service (bait, ice, vessel repair, seafood dealers, etc.)
Who is Eligible?
Commercial Fishermen and Charter for-hire
- Having fished in the following areas for three years during 2020 through 2024: X34, Y34, Y35, Z35, AA35, AB35, AA36, AB36, AC36 (State), 612 (Federal).
- Currently holding a commercial permit.
Shoreside Services
- Located within 10 miles of New Bedford, Cape May or Point Pleasant, or having more than 20% of business associated with the project area.
- Having the majority of business revenues [50% of total revenue or more] documented in an up or downstream fishing support service (bait, ice, vessel repair, seafood dealers, etc.)
What Documentation is Required?
Commercial Fishermen and Charter for-hire
- Commercial permit.
- Federally and/or state approved trip level reporting information that establishes fishing activity within Empire Wind. Examples of this are: landing reports (VTR, dealer reports, AIS data), VMS trip reports, federal dealer reports, dock sales receipts, Fishery observer or At Sea Monitor data, NOAA Cooperative Research Study Fleet data, Time-stamped chart plotter data/images, or SAFIS data.
- Revenue data from 2020 to 2024.
Shoreside Business
- Valid seafood dealer and/or processor permit where applicable.
- Documentation demonstrating portion of revenue generated from upstream and downstream.
- Revenue data from 2020 to 2024.
What is the Process?
Step 1
Applicant fills out application form on the website, and submits required documentation.
Step 2
Once the application period closes, the Program Administrator will review all applications and accompanying documentation.
Step 3
Within approximately 2 weeks, the Program Administrator will notify claimants if additional information or documentation is needed to inform their eligibility determination.
Step 4
Within four weeks, the Administrator will aim to inform each applicant of their eligibility determination, explaining the reasons for acceptance or rejection, as well as the direct payment amount to be paid to the claimant.
Step 5
The waiver agreement presented in the application process will then be sent to the eligible claimant prior to payment.
Step 6
Once the Administrator determines a claimant has satisfied their eligibility criteria, and the fully executed waiver is received, a direct payment amount will be processed.
Step 7
Payments will be processed within 30 days of a favorable eligibility determination and receipt of a fully executed waiver.