Maine's Department of Marine Resources plans a winter survey of fish and animals without backbones near its offshore wind research lease area in the Gulf of Maine beginning the week of Jan. 11, 2027.
Sampling is scheduled through Feb. 28, 2027, with a possible weather extension to March 12, 2027. Crews will work during daylight on up to nine days within that window, at the same locations used in the previous year's surveys.
The 55-foot fishing vessel Northern Lights will depart Portland for approximately 37 tows. A bottom trawl collects samples with a net towed along the seabed.
The department does not expect to require fishing gear to be moved. If gear prevents sampling, it says it will issue notices identifying when relocation is needed. Survey updates and maps are linked in its announcement. The vessel will monitor VHF radio channel 16.
The research lease is 32.2 miles offshore, according to the state's energy department. Maine reached a lease agreement with federal regulators in 2024. The survey is intended to establish baseline data for comparisons with later project phases.