MAF Professor Tracey Dalton, URI alums Mike Weir, Aislyne Cailianos, & Nelle D’Aversa, and RI DEM biologist & MAF PhD student Julia Livermore published a new study in Marine Policy assessing the potential impacts of offshore wind farms on recreational boaters in and around Rhode Island waters. Findings indicate that boating near an offshore wind farm considerably detracts from a boater’s experience on the water.  The value of a recreational boating experience is also affected by the location of a trip, the amount of other boats encountered, and activities participated in during the trip (e.g., fishing).  With 1.7 million acres off the east coast of the United States currently being considered for offshore wind development, it is important to understand the impacts of this type of change in use. Findings from this study provide valuable insights into how one particular subset of marine users will be impacted by the growing offshore wind industry in the US.