Comment from Ocean Harvesters

Ocean Harvesters operates a fleet of VA-registered purse seine vessels under a long-term contract with Omega Protein Corporation, supplying Atlantic menhaden to the Omega Protein Corporation Processing Facility in Reedville, VA. The purse seine fishery is well monitored, reporting every set of the purse seine where extensive data are documented by catch and location using standardized Captains Daily Fishing Reports (CDFRs). Over the past 10 years, Ocean Harvesters has accounted for 12% of its yearly catch inside the BOEM proposed lease area for mineral mining, and an additional 50% of its yearly catch in contiguous VA State waters, 0-3 nm from shore, an area that may also experience disruption by any future mining activities in the BOEM proposed leasing area. From documented catch data and estimated revenue at market prices, it is evident that Ocean Harvesters has a significant interest in any development that might occur both within the polygon-shaped area in the offshore zone, NJ18-08, Chicoteague, and the contiguous nearshore VA waters. Absent a description, at this point, of how mining operations would occur, specifically where and when, within the polygon-shaped area defined in the RFI, Ocean Harvesters cannot provide more specific, suggested precautions that would protect its valuable harvest, but wants to emphasize the importance of the area to its fishery and willingness to engage with BOEM in future developments on any leasing and mining development. Thank you for considering these comments from Ocean Harvesters on BOEM’s RFI, as outlined in Docket No. BOEM-2026-0100.