Press Release: Offshore Windmill Farms and the Coastal Marine Industry

How will 

Offshore Windmill Farms 

affect the 

Coastal Marine Industry?

The 2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show

will provide insight into many marine industry issues,

but none may be more controversial than that broached by California AB 525 (2021)

and the creation of offshore windmill farms along the coast.

Following the General Session and Keynote Speech on Tuesday, October 17th, at 9:45am, Mike Conroy, West Coast Director, Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, will discuss the current state-of-affairs regarding offshore wind energy facilities off the California coast. 



Mike will review the potential impacts of California AB525 (2021), which tasked the California Energy Commission with developing a strategic plan for offshore wind energy developments installed off the California coast in federal waters. Intended to produce more than 25,000 gigawatts of wind generated power by 2045, the initiative would result in roughly 3,000 square miles of California coastal ocean to be designated for wind farm development.

What will the potential impacts of this development be on the marine environment, fishing activities, recreational boating, and whale migrations along the coast? How will the state’s ports, harbors, and marinas be affected? Environmental and other studies are still on-going, and Mr. Conroy will review some findings from these and provide further insight into applicable state and federal legislative efforts focused on this nascent industry.

This year’s MRA Conference theme, 
Acknowledgment and Appreciation, will focus
on the future, looking forward to new challenges and achievements in the marine industry.

The Conference will feature
a broad prospectus of industry experts and information covering key industry operations, management,
and marketing concerns.

The Marine Trade Show will present the latest technology, products, and services from leading industry vendors and contractors focused on innovation, growth, and profitability as the marine industry evolves in today’s changing world.

Registration and event information for the2023 MRA Educational Conference & Trade Show, 

scheduled for October 16 – 18 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort,

is posted now on the MRA website at www.marina.org or

go directly to the Conference website at https://marina.swoogo.com/2023conf/begin

Special hotel rates are also being offered at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort from October 14th to the 18th, and attendees are invited to come early and stay late to enjoy the wonderful Southern California weather and amenities overlooking the white sand beaches and blue Pacific Ocean.

The Marine Recreation Association is a professional organization that represents marina owners, operators, and industry professionals located throughout the western United States with additional members in Canada, Mexico, and Australia. Created more than 51 years ago, the MRA actively promotes and represents recreational boating interests while providing educational management and operations seminars, and information for marine industry owners, operators, and staff.

For additional information about the MRA and all its activities and interests, please contact Mariann Timms by phone at (209) 334-0661 or email at mra@marina.org.