Coexistence of Wind, Fisheries, Wildlife & Ecosystems: A
Science Perspective
Jon Hare and Andy Lipsky Northeast Fisheries Science CenterNortheast Fisheries Science Center
March 5, 2020
Maine Fishermen’s Forum
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Outline
• Rapid Expansion of
Offshore Wind
• Interactions with
Fisheries, Wildlife,
and Ecosystems
• Key Challenges &
Opportunities https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/rcb/photogallery/scenic-ocean.html
Rapid Expansion of Offshore Wind
• 15 leases in the Northwest Atlantic
• Planning Activities in Mid-Atlantic &
Gulf of Maine
• Planned Leasing Activities on U.S.
Pacific Coast and Hawaii Islands
8,500Km of
Cable
1,700Turbines
Projected Offshore Wind Development by 2030 Potential Effects
Fisheries
Wildlife
Ecosystem & Habitats
Human Communities
Data gathering using ships
and aircraft
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• Planned projects extend to
2027 (20+ year operations)
• Does not include all current
leases nor new leases
• Does not include areas where
moored technology would be
used
• “Rest of our careers”
Rapid Expansion of Offshore Wind
20+ operation period
2047 and beyond
• Andy Lipsky –
NEFSC Wind
Team Lead
• Susan Tuxbury –
GARFO BOEM
Activities /
Hydropower Lead
• Julia Beaty –
MAFMC
• Michelle Bachman
- NEFMC
http://www.mafmc.org/northeast-offshore-wind
Rapid Expansion of Offshore Wind
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• Fishing revenue studies
• Habitat characterization
• Marine mammal, seabird,
fisheries and ecosystem
surveys
• Sound studies
• Site specific monitoring
studies
Baseline Studies (BOEM & NMFS)
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
• Acoustic survey and construction
noise
• Vessel traffic
• Seafloor, water column, and
surface air disturbance
• Sediment Suspension and
Deposition
• Cabling & Electro-magnetic
fields
• Lighting / Navigation
• Habitat Conversion
Wind Development
1. Pre-construction (now)
2. Construction (soon)
3. Operation (20-30 yrs)
4. Decommissioning (after
operation)
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
• Exclusion of some fishing activity
• Creation new habitat
• Biological effects of noise and
electromagnetic fields
• Exclusion / attraction of species
• Changes in behavior - feeding,
socializing, nursing
• Ecosystem changes: oceanography,
prey, habitat
• Impacts on surveys and assessments
Trust Resources
1. Fisheries
2. Wildlife
3. Ecosystems &
Habitats (inc.
humans)
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
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Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
North Atlantic Right Whales
Sightings Jan 2010 to Nov 2019
Construction
Effects on Marine
Mammals• Construction noise
• Vessel traffic
https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/
environmental-
stewardship/Environmental-
Studies/Renewable-Energy/A-
Framework-for-Studying-the-Effects.pdf
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Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
Effects of Pre- and
during Construction
Sounds• Squid exhibit startle
response
• Black sea bass respond
to replicated noise
• Effect of acoustic
surveys of development
areas
Exclusion of
some fishing
activity
• Mobile gear
• Larger vessels
• Transit
https://cdn.offshorewind.biz/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/05/29104823/vineyard-
wind-starts-environmental-surveys.jpg
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
Electro-magnetic fields
• “We definitely saw effects in
behavior in both lobsters
and skates, though it was
more dramatic in the
skates.” John King URI
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
https://www.ecori.org/narragansett-
bay/2019/9/11/sharks-lobsters-impacted-by-electric-
cables-from-offshore-wind
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Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
Habitat Alteration• Greater
abundance of fish
inside
of wind farms
https://www.blockislandtimes.com/arti
cle/wind-turbines-and-fish-co-
existing-so-far/51751
https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/89
063/offshore-wind-farms-make-wakes
Seafloor, water column, and
surface air disturbance• Increase in turbulence
• Effects on primary and
secondary production
• Effects on benthic habitats
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
Effects on Surveys and
Assessments
• Random-stratified design
• Ship and aircraft line
transects
• Habitat effects of wind-farms
• 314* years of survey effort
• Effects on assessmentshttps://www.seafoodsource.com/news/supply-trade/noaa-
scientist-offshore-wind-projects-will-likely-affect-viability-
of-fishery-surveys
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
Cumulative Impacts
• Multiple projects
constructed over next
7+ years
• Operations over next
27+ years
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
?
https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/uploadedImages/
BOEM/Renewable_Energy_Program/Mapping_and_Data/
ocs_wpa.jpg
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Fisheries Wildlife Ecosystems
Pre-construction
Construction
Operation
Decommissioning
Interactions Between Wind, Fisheries,
Wildlife, and Science
What are the effects of wind
energy development on fisheries,
wildlife, and ecosystems,
including human communities?
Can these effects be avoided,
minimized, and mitigated?
How will components of the complex socio-ecological
system adapt?
• Addressing questions as
wind development is
progressing
• Pace and scale of
development
• Scale of problem –
fisheries x wildlife x
ecosystems x wind
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Key Challenges & Opportunities
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl
es/2019-06-05/connecticut-set-to-join-
in-70-billion-offshore-wind-expansion
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Key Challenges & Opportunities
• Floating technology will
change map of development
• What knowledge is
transferrable from pile to
floating technology?
https://www.offshore-mag.com/field-
development/article/14069033/offshore-wind-energy
https://www.pressherald.com/2019/12/12/regions-leaders-
say-offshore-wind-in-gulf-of-maine-could-provide-critical-
energy-source/
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Joint MOU NOAA, BOEM, and RODA (Responsible Offshore Development Association)
“NOAA/NMFS, BOEM, and RODA (Parties) have a mutual interest in the responsible planning, siting, and development of offshore wind power … in a way that considered impacts to the fishing industry, fisheries resources protected resources, and the marine habitats upon which fishery resources depend”
Key Challenges & Opportunities
Regional Framework
Topic
1
Topic
2
Topic
3Dev 3Dev 2Dev 1
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3
Dev 3
Dev 2
Dev 1
Topic 2
Topic 2
Responsible Offshore
Science Alliance
Key Challenges & Opportunities
Key Challenges & Opportunities
• Block Island Experience
https://www.workboat.com/news/offshore/federal-regulators-
fishermen-agree-to-consult-on-offshore-wind/
• European Experience (20+ years)
Key Challenges & Opportunities
Innovation!
• New fishing methods
• New management
approaches
• New survey approaches
• Cooperative Research
• New science (BACI/BAG
designs, ocean observing)
Key Challenges & Opportunities
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Conclusions
Rest of our careers
Recipe for Coexistence
Wind Development