Maine Plans Winter Trawl Survey Before Offshore Wind Array

The Maine Department of Marine Resources said on Oct. 13, 2026, that it will carry out an additional round of bottom trawl research in the Gulf of Maine near the site of a proposed offshore wind development, WMTW reported.

The winter survey is set to start during the week of Jan. 11, 2027, and run through Feb. 28, with the possibility of continuing into March if weather interferes, according to the department. The work will be done aboard the Northern Lights, a 55-foot trawler sailing out of Portland, which is expected to complete roughly 37 sampling tows across nine days.

Scientists will count and measure fish and invertebrates to build baseline data that can later be measured against results gathered while Maine's proposed offshore wind research array is built and operated. The state said the goal is to gauge how offshore wind development affects marine ecosystems and the commercial fishing industry.

Fishermen will not be asked to shift their gear for the survey, though the department said it will send further notices if gear conflicts with the research work.

The survey is part of a wider state effort to document environmental and fishing impacts ahead of any commercial offshore wind development. WMTW said it had contacted the department to confirm the status of the offshore wind approvals, which have been paused.

This story was first reported by WMTW.