The Biden administration has launched a new strategy to infuse social justice into ocean-related policies and regulations, but many people who depend on the ocean for their livelihoods told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the administration is In effect, they are ignored in the pursuit of climate change issues.

management announced In December 2023, during the United Nations Climate Change Summit, known as COP28, to “advance environmental justice for communities that depend on the oceans and Great Lakes for economic, cultural, spiritual, recreational and food needs” “Maritime Justice” strategic security objectives. ” However, some members of the commercial fishing industry, who rely on the fruits of America's oceans for a living, are therefore concerned with the sustainable use of the oceans, but are concerned about how they are managed, especially the oceans. They claim the government is ignoring their concerns about how the country is being managed. About the government's wide-ranging efforts to fast-track industrial-scale offshore wind projects.

commercial fishing group And that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is warned Offshore wind turbines and their power lines can disrupt the marine ecosystems that fisheries and related businesses depend on. Nevertheless, the administration is pushing to build large-scale offshore wind farms across the East Coast, with what the White House says is an “ocean justice” strategy aimed at “improving human well-being.” Now, the company is trying to introduce that technology into California waters. A community connected to the sea. ”

“I have written hundreds of pages of comment letters on offshore wind, attended countless federal meetings, webinars, and conference calls, and advocated for the siting and construction of offshore wind farms in historic and productive commercial fishing areas. “We have been against it. It would completely decimate the U.S. commercial fishing industry,” Meghan Rupp, fisheries liaison for Sea Freeze, an East Coast fishing company that harvests fish and squid in the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Atlantic, told DCNF. “The Biden administration’s response has accelerated permit and project approvals, held fewer public meetings, lowered the quality of materials provided for comment, and ignored the input of other collaborating agencies on impacts to commercial fishing.” and continue leasing and installing offshore wind power. At breakneck speed.” (Related: Biden's EPA significantly strengthens 'environmental justice' agenda in 2023)

The White House also announced report The report details the December 2023 Maritime Justice Strategy. The report states: “Many communities who live near the ocean, rely on marine resources, or are part of the ocean economy face unique circumstances that exacerbate existing challenges, and It prevents fair access to the benefits of

“Marine communities that are disproportionately Black, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander are disproportionately exposed to ocean-related health and environmental hazards and dangers. “Significant proportions of people experience persistent poverty and other forms of social inequality,” the White House report asserts.

However, some stakeholders argue that offshore wind power and onerous and ineffective ocean regulations threaten communities that economically depend on the ocean and its fisheries, regardless of racial or ethnic makeup. He argues that it is.

“The 'ocean justice' strategy is a bit ironic, given that fisheries like the Maine lobster fishery (one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world) are constantly at risk of being put out of business by bad government policies and regulations. But we don't have a seat at the table,” Dustin Delano, chief operating officer of the New England Fish Management Association, told DCNF. “Fisherman are true professionals, spending far more time at sea than any government agency. The lobster industry brings in $1 billion a year in Maine alone, and there's more than just lobster available in restaurants. But their contribution goes far beyond that… Not including fishermen in an “ocean justice” strategy is a complete sacrilege in the eyes of true environmentalists. Your local fisherman. ”

The report further states that the strategy's main objectives are to provide “meaningful community engagement” and “better embed equity in the funding process” so that the agency can “infuse marine justice into federal activities.” The aim is to encourage the “incorporation of

“Who counts as an influential stakeholder is determined as a matter of policy, not fact. Of course, the fact is that U.S. commercial fishing Ocean affiliated,” Rupp told DCNF. “But as a matter of policy, we are a second-class citizen, especially when it comes to the federal government's respect for foreign government-owned offshore wind companies.”

Offshore wind power is a key pillar of broader White House policy green energy Agenda with the administration Hope The technology is expected to provide enough energy to power 10 million American homes by 2030. Despite these efforts, the industry remains in a difficult position. Major developers are canceling power purchase agreements with states and power companies, citing inflation, high interest rates and logistical challenges. and a significant proportion of contracted capacity is currently under significant financial stress. according to to Reuters.

Anne Hawkins, executive director of the Alliance for Responsible Ocean Development, told the DCNF: “The replacement of fishing activities both at sea and on shore by offshore wind energy development will reduce fishing-dependent employment in these communities. It is expected that this will have a negative impact.” This strategy “ignores the important connections between seafood production and marginalized people” and argues that “fishing is a source of employment and cultural heritage in precisely the communities commonly thought of as ‘environmentally protected’”. We're not fully aware that it's a very important source of supply.” justice' It’s policy,” she added.

Not only green energy generation but also government claim The construction and maintenance of industrial-scale offshore wind projects will create decent, high-wage union jobs in the ocean economy. Officials say a “just transition” to a reshaped economy will force workers out of marginalized industries, as the administration has done in other industries where the green transition could displace workers. It argues that the green transition will put workers in a better position to find new employment opportunities. economy.

More than 3 million jobs nationwide are directly tied to the resources available in the Great Lakes and oceans. according to to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. America's existing marine industries, including commercial fishing, already stimulate coastal economies and provide many working-class communities with a solid path to socio-economic stability and upward mobility, says the Midwater Trawler Cooperative. Heather Mann, executive director of , told DCNF.

“I have been suggesting to wind energy advocates and generations of fishermen that if they lose their jobs, they can retrain to transport goods and people to turbine farms. Not only that, but this kind of rhetoric reflects the same kind of consideration that we seem to be getting from the Biden administration,” Mann told DCNF. “Replacing existing jobs related to fishing and sustainable food production with floating offshore wind energy is irresponsible and will never be profitable.” Ocean justice to our community. ”

The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

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