NEFSA Statement on Empire Wind

May 21, 2025

Statement of Dustin Delano, chief operating officer of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA):

"NEFSA is deeply concerned about the administration’s decision to greenlight Empire Wind, a foreign-owned development project that will destroy historic American fishing jobs. Empire Wind will close highly productive fishing grounds and irreversibly alter the marine environment. Commercial fishing communities in Long Island and New Jersey may not survive this unfortunate decision. 

Time and again, foreign energy companies have leveraged their clout and political connections to win approval for ocean industrialization projects like Empire Wind. Fishermen were among President Trump’s strongest supporters, which makes his administration’s reversal on this issue all the more disappointing. We continue to believe the president can stand with us and take meaningful action to protect our livelihoods and coastal communities."