Abstract
Project Title: “Quantification of the Risk of Secondary Entanglement due to Derelict Fishing Gear for
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines”
Presenter: Dr. Spencer Hallowell (UMaine, Advance Structures and Composites Center)
Timeline: Fall 2025 – Fall 2026
Dr. Spencer Hallowell explained that the purpose of their presentation was to first provide results of the
literature review and then seek input on, and kickoff, the stakeholder engagement portion of the
project. Over the next six months the team plans to meet with fisheries organizations in the region,
agencies and NGOs, and relevant wind developers to check assumptions about different pieces of their
proposed research framework. Specific questions related to fishing gear characteristics and loss rates
can be found in the respective slides [see orange question mark icon on slides], and the team welcomes
any feedback on these points.
Secondary entanglement refers to the entanglement of marine wildlife on marine debris that are
ensnared on mooring lines, suspended cables, or other underwater infrastructure. Dr. Hallowell outlined
that the secondary entanglement risk will be calculated based on the risk of entrainment (marine debris
entering wind areas in the Gulf of Maine), the risk of ensnarement (marine debris getting caught on
floating offshore wind subsea infrastructure), and the encounter rate (marine mammals moving through
the wind lease areas), all three of which events must occur to result in a secondary entanglement event.
Based on the findings in the literature review, the team has identified three types of fishing gear
(bottom trawl, dredging, and pots/ traps) to focus on. Next steps for their modeling efforts will include
consolidating information from the literature into the engineering models.
Dr. Rzeszowski will be leading the stakeholder engagement component of this project. He noted the
primary form of engagement will be focus groups or small group discussions that will inform specific
areas of the project.