NJ Commercial Fishermen Can Apply For Compensation From Empire Wind Farm, Being Built Off Long Branch

LONG BRANCH, NJ — If you are a New Jersey commercial fisherman, or a shoreside business for commercial fishing, you can be compensated for any negative outcomes of the construction and operation of Empire Wind.

Empire Wind is the first wind farm to be built off New Jersey; it is being built 19 miles off Long Branch. Currently, they are about halfway done with construction, the company says. Empire Wind is owned by the Kingdom of Norway, a majority shareholder in Norwegian renewable energy company Equinor.

"Empire Wind is continuing to work with the fishing community to avoid and mitigate any project impacts," said Empire Wind. "A 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 construction and operations activities."

The eligibility period to apply closes by Oct. 11.

Who is eligible?

Commercial Fishermen and Charter for-hire

• Having fished in the Empire Wind 1 project area (see this map) for three years during 2020-2024. The Empire Wind 1 project area includes the Empire Wind 1 lease area and/or Empire Wind 1 export cable corridor.
• Currently holding a commercial permit.

Shoreside Services

• Located within 10 miles of New Bedford, Massachusetts, Cape May or Point Pleasant, New Jersey 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.)

Click here for complete information about the program and what’s needed to apply. Here is how you can apply: https://ew1fisheriescompensati...

Empire Wind is the only wind farm off the Jersey Shore to begin construction. All other wind farms proposed off New Jersey have either collapsed or been put on hold as their companies scramble to find financing.

As of August, construction on the wind farm is 40 percent complete, Equinor spokesman David Schoetz previously said. Equinor also started laying export cable under the sea, connecting the wind farm with the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, he said. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is where energy produced by Empire Wind will be brought ashore, and where Empire will plug into the New York City power grid.

Equinor has a contract with New York state to provide electricity to New York City and Long Island. None of the electricity that will be generated from Empire Wind will go to New Jersey residents.

"Empire Wind is approximately 40 percent complete and the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal is over 60 percent complete," said Schoetz. "First power is expected by the end of 2026, with a 2027 commercial operations date."

Empire Wind Farm 19 Miles Off Long Branch Is '40 Percent Complete,' Company Says (August)