Fishing Industry FAQs

offshore wind farms and fishing

The federal waters off the North Carolina and South Carolina coast are vital to both the fishing industry and the offshore wind industry. We appreciate that the maritime community has long fished this area, and we understand that commercial and recreational entities will have important questions about offshore wind farms and fishing.

Here, we have addressed the questions we are most frequently asked by ocean users, and we invite you to connect with us if you have others. We have answered more general questions about the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project on our Project Overview page.

How is TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay working with the fishing and maritime communities?

TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay is committed to establishing and cultivating strong, local relationships within the fishing industry and maritime community. As we have with other successful offshore wind projects, we are actively encouraging open communication, fostering a spirit of collaboration, and prioritizing transparency and accessibility.

If you have questions about TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay as it relates to commercial, professional, and recreational ocean use, please contact our team.

How can the fishing and maritime communities get involved in the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project?

Our years in the offshore wind industry in countries around the world have taught us that every fishing and maritime community has unique needs as well as a multitude of local and regional experts from whom we can learn. The success of the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay project and the partnership between our industries requires that we openly and respectfully communicate with one another.

We want to hear from you. Please contact our team, to learn how you can get involved in the development, implementation, and management of TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay.

Will there be contract opportunities for members of the fishing industry and vessel operators?

Yes. TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay seeks to collaborate with the fishing and maritime communities in every way we can. This may include opportunities to serve as:

Fisheries Representatives

TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay’s fisheries team is actively looking for Fisheries Representatives. If interested please contact our team.

Onboard Fisheries Liaisons

We are seeking members of the fishing industry to work as Onboard Fisheries Liaisons during offshore surveys to scout for potential conflicts and to communicate directly with other ocean users.

If you have other ideas on how members of the fishing industry and vessel operators can partner with the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay team, please connect with our team.

Will vessels be able to transit through the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay wind farm?

Yes. TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay is committed to safe navigation. Our wind turbines will be spread across 86 square nautical miles (114 square miles), each with safety lighting features and marked in compliance with the U.S. Coast Guard and all visible on nautical charts. The periphery of the wind farm will be equipped with AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking.

Will fishing be allowed at TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay?

Yes. Fishing, including commercial and recreational, will be permitted within the TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay offshore wind farm when construction is complete and the project is operational.

For reasons of safety and expediency, we anticipate implementing temporary exclusion zones during some periods of survey work and construction. The TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay team will be diligent in communicating with commercial and recreational vessel operators well in advance of survey work and installation activities related to any temporary exclusion zones.

What will happen to the project when it is ready for decommissioning?

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) requires all project components to be removed at the end of their lifespan unless otherwise authorized. All BOEM offshore wind leaseholders – which includes TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay – are required to post financial assurance to cover the cost of decommissioning (including removal) as a condition of the lease.

Where can I find out more about offshore wind development?

To learn more about offshore wind projects on the East Coast, visit:

At TotalEnergies Carolina Long Bay, we believe open communication is key to our collective success. Please contact our team with additional questions.