Ocean Warms, Fish Go North, Bridge, Cost Won’t Be as High

CREST HAVEN – Climate change alters everything, even planning for a replacement of Middle Thorofare Bridge linking Five Mile Beach and Lower Township. 
During a July 24 discussion with freeholders, Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster spoke of a mid-August stakeholders’ session on alternatives to replace the drawbridge. The time and location of that meeting has not been announced.
The span, located adjacent to two commercial fishing docks, is required to raise its bascule span to allow the vessel to pass, stopping vehicular traffic in the process.
In the course of the discussion, Freeholder Will Morey asked whether Foster had seen any surprising designs.
Foster cited a 1999 study on bridge replacement that included a design to accommodate long, tall refrigerated fishing vessels.
“The (local) fishing industry was looking at bringing in refrigerated units which were very long and 108 feet high,” said Foster.
He noted “The fleet that operates from here also has a fleet that operated out of New Bedford, Mass. They use those vessels up there. Because of climate change and ocean water temperature (warming), the (fish) species moved north.
“They no longer have an interest in having those vessels down here. So, where we were looking at 116-foot vertical clearance, we’re not looking at that anymore. We’re much lower,” Foster said.
Lower bridge, lower cost, he continued. That is because “The bridge won’t be as long.”
While road alignment alternatives for any new bridge would be shown at those mid-August public sessions, Foster indicated that the road would likely “stay close to the corridor where Ocean Drive is” perhaps going behind the Snow-Castleberry plant.
A lower bridge height will also save money because, had a higher bridge been needed to accommodate those larger fishing boats, a separate bridge would have been required to access the commercial fishing docks and a restaurant in that area.
A taller bridge, Foster said, would likely have had to begin near Bree-Zee-Lee Marina.
“So this is going to help greatly,” he added.
Any new bridge would likely have a clearance greater than the present 23 feet, Foster said. He said a 45-foot clearance is possible. Regardless, Coast Guard permission will be required for any bridge.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in a June 19, 2017 posting:
“Changes in our climate and our oceans are having very real and profound effects on the natural resources we depend on, including our fisheries and coastal habitats.”
“We are seeing dramatic changes, particularly in cooler ocean regions like New England and Alaska where warming waters over the past 20 years are pushing fish farther north or deeper to stay in cooler waters.
“In New England, known for its cod and lobster fishing, ocean temperatures have increased faster than in many other parts of the world. Changes in the distribution and abundance of these and other species have affected where and when fishermen fish and what they catch, with economic impacts rippling into the coastal communities and seafood businesses.
“With better information on current and future shifts in fish stocks, fisheries managers and fishing industries can better plan for and respond to changing ocean conditions.”