Date of Award
2026
Document Type
Honors Thesis (Open Access)
Department
Colby College. Environmental Studies Program
Advisor(s)
Dr. Alison Bates
Abstract
Federal and state climate goals are driving offshore wind development in the Gulf of Maine, but proposals encounter strong local resistance from ocean users. Traditional cost–benefit frameworks fail to account for resistance that arises even when individuals expect no direct economic loss from offshore wind. Using Social Identity Theory (SIT), this study examines how a shared fishing community identity shapes attitudes toward floating offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. This study is based on 18 qualitative semi-structured interviews with commercial and recreational ocean users in mid-coast Maine. Interviews were paired with an immersive virtual reality simulation that allowed participants to view and interact with a spatially and acoustically accurate model of a 150‐MW floating wind farm from multiple vantage points. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed to identify salient ingroup/outgroup boundaries and shared community values. Five themes emerged as central to the fishing community ingroup: year‐round community belonging, experiential knowledge, maritime heritage, stewardship for future generations, and self‐reliance. Interviewees commonly shifted from an individual “I” to a collective “we” perspective, prioritizing protection of the fishing community and culture over personal considerations. Outgroups were characterized by a perceived lack of practical maritime experience and by prioritizing external interests (seasonal residents, distant agencies, and developers). These findings suggest that opposition to offshore wind among Maine ocean users is rooted in defense of a collective identity. Effective decision‐making and engagement must therefore expand current metrics to incorporate the shared values of Maine ocean users.
Keywords
Virtual Environments, Fishing Community, Policy, Offshore Wind
Recommended Citation
Rothwell, Emma, "Casting a Wider Net: Integrating Social Identity Theory into Offshore Wind Management" (2026). Honors Theses. Paper 1551.https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/honorstheses/1551