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How would the proposed Humboldt offshore wind project affect aquaculture and mariculture in Wigi/Humboldt Bay?

Wigi/Humboldt Bay is home to a thriving aquaculture industry. Oysters and seaweed are farmed in the bay, and Nordic Aquafarms plans to raise yellowtail in tanks with water drawn from the bay. The oyster seed industry has exploded in the past decade or so, with many of the "seeds" (tiny osters) grown on floating docks within or near the proposed Heavy Lift Terminal. . The proposed Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project (1) would likely displace or impact some of these businesses. The Humboldt Harbor, Conservation & Recreation District (Harbor District)’s 2023 INFRA grant (2) from the U.S. Department of Transportation included $1 million for relocation of existing aquaculture tenants that could be displaced by the proposed heavy lift marine terminal.

Oysters and oyster beds on Wigi/Humboldt Bay.

Oysters and oyster beds on Wigi/Humboldt Bay.

Source: Humboldt State University (3)

In addition, there are environmental concerns that are specifically of interest to aquaculture and mariculture businesses. Increased sedimentation and other water quality changes in the bay could impact growth of farmed species. Anti-fouling agents used to protect the wind turbines may also be toxic to shellfish and other aquatic species. Another concern is that increased vessel traffic could lead to the introduction of new viruses and pathogens to Wigi/Humboldt Bay that could negatively impact these businesses. Wigi/Humboldt Bay is currently unique in the fact that its waters do not contain the OsHV-1 virus (4) — a herpes virus that infects many oyster fisheries. In areas where OsHV-1 is present, oyster farmers regularly experience 90% mortality events (5) every summer. There is considerable concern that increased shipping traffic associated with the heavy lift terminal project would increase the likelihood the infection would be introduced to Wigi/Humboldt Bay. Ships could bring the disease in their ballast from other waters. The Harbor District has created a Humboldt Bay Aquaculture Committee that is developing strategies to prevent introduction of pathogens like OsHV-1.

References​

  1. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2024). Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project. https://humboldtbay.org/humboldt-bay-offshore-wind-heavy-lift-marine-terminal-project-3 

  2. Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation, and Conservation District. (2023, August 21). Application to Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Opportunity (MPDG) Program Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind MVP (Minimum Viable Port) Project Description. https://humboldtbay.org/sites/humboldtbay.org/files/FY%202023-24%20MPDG%20Humboldt%20Bay%20Offshore%20Wind%20MVP%20Proposal%20Package_reducedfilesize.pdf 

  3. Sea Grant California. (2019, January 23). Study: Bivalve Business is Big for Humboldt Bay. https://caseagrant.ucsd.edu/news/study-bivalve-business-big-humboldt-bay

  4. Walters, H. (2012, April 5). The World Is Yours, Oyster Farmer. Lost Coast Outpost. www.northcoastjournal.com/news/the-world-is-yours-oyster-farmer-2133083

  5. Ben-Horin, T., Ciesielski, M., Lucas, J., et al. (2024, February). Pathology associated with summer oyster mortality in North Carolina. Aquaculture Reports, 34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2023.101901

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