Abstract
With an international push to develop and reach renewable energy targets, there is increased interest in creating floating offshore wind farms (OWFs). The installation of OWF infrastructure is expected to limit access and movement of most vessels, effectively creating permanent spatial closure for certain fisheries. Here we explore the implications of proposed OWFs off the coast of Oregon, USA, for two trawl-caught groundfish species. We created a spatially explicit population model based on both fishery independent survey data and logbook records. We simulated the short-term impacts of the proposed OWFs on two stocks, assuming the fishery either maintained constant effort or constant yield outside of the OWF area after implementation. Our analysis predicts that OWF closures would lead to minimal changes in fishing yield and that biomass build up within OWF areas that spilled over into areas open to fishing would not produce a substantial increase in fishery yield. This research advances understanding of the potential impacts of offshore energy development on fisheries and conservation outcomes.