State marine regulators are providing an update on a dispute between fishermen and the developers of a wind energy project off Monhegan Island.
The flashpoint has been recent activity by a 150-foot vessel contracted by the developers, New England Aqua Ventus, to survey possible routes for a cable running between the project and the mainland.
Project officials said on Monday that fishermen appeared to be putting gear in the vessel’s way, bringing their boats too close, and thus forcing survey operations to be suspended. A statement by the Department of Marine Resources on Tuesday says that when state Marine Patrol officials radioed to fishing boat captains that they needed to stay a safe distance from the survey vessel, the captains complied.
DMR also says officers did not see direct interference with the vessel and saw no clear evidence that a significant amount of gear had been moved into the route. DMR says fishing activity does continue in the area and that there is still enough gear in the water to obstruct survey operations.
DMR says it is working with fishermen to clear a safe path.