Two Delaware County residents joined protestors linked up on the beach July 15 in solidarity against the planned development of offshore wind farms in Ocean City, New Jersey, writes Craig D. Schenck for the Ocean City Sentinel.

Joseph and Debra Fuiman, who live in Delaware County, but have a home on the island, said they were concerned about the environmental impact from the construction and operation of the wind turbines.

“We’re just afraid. At least take a stoppage and see what’s going on,” Joseph Fuiman said. “I hope it helps create some electric, but is it worth it?”

The protest dubbed Hands Across the Beaches, was organized by Protect Our Coast NJ.  

The wind farm project, Ocean Wind 1, has been proposed by the Danish energy company Orsted.

It plans to build the first of two wind farms with up to 98 turbines 15 miles off the coast. Work is expected to start in the fall, with offshore work beginning in 2024. 

Fuiman said he likes to fish and is worried about the impact the project could have on the fishery.

“It’s hard enough to catch a fish now,” he said.

Read more about protests against a wind farm off of Ocean City in the Ocean City Sentinel.