In response to the escalating development of offshore wind projects, the federal government has introduced a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. Released on Thursday, Jan. 25, by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and NOAA Fisheries, the 78-page strategy outlines measures to assess and mitigate potential impacts on the whales and their habitat.
The North Atlantic right whales, an endangered species with an estimated population of 360 individuals, face a decline that has local repercussions, evident in the recent discovery of a dead juvenile right whale in Edgartown.
While NOAA identifies entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes as leading causes of whale deaths, the agency acknowledges ocean noise as an additional threat, attributed to energy exploration and development.
The strategy, developed with public and Native American tribe feedback, aims to foster collaboration among wind developers and agencies for mitigating risks to right whales and advancing research. Immediate efforts include avoiding leasing new wind developments in right whale habitats, providing guidance to limit noise during offshore wind activities, implementing vessel strike reduction measures, and employing species observation methods.
Despite these initiatives, turbines are still planned in areas frequented by right whales, raising concerns about potential impacts. Strategies outlined in documents such as "A Wind Energy Area Siting Analysis for the Central Atlantic Call Area" and the draft environmental impact statement for Mayflower Wind address considerations for right whales, including conservation status, habitat, and mitigating potential impacts.
Federal funding allocated to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries supports ongoing right whale conservation efforts, including monitoring and researching commercial fishing gear.
Avangrid, owning half of the Vineyard Wind project, announced the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind's "Integrated Science Plan for Offshore Wind, Wildlife, and Habitat in U.S. Atlantic Waters." The plan, guiding marine mammal and ecosystem preservation alongside offshore wind power advancement, will be discussed in a webinar on Friday, Feb. 9.
As strategies for right whale protection evolve, challenges persist due to gaps in research about these elusive creatures and the complexities of studying the ocean environment. The strategy emphasizes adaptability based on collected data, recognizing the changing climate's influence on right whale population distribution and habitat.
Charles ("Stormy") Mayo, Director of the Center for Coastal Studies right whale ecology program, emphasizes the importance of "good science" in protecting marine ecosystems. Despite social media speculation, Mayo underscores the need for thorough scientific investigation into potential threats posed by offshore wind development. While no direct evidence links offshore wind projects to whale deaths, the projects' location necessitates research, emphasizing the significance of relying on science for accurate information and informed decision-making.
Source: Eunki Seowoo (Jan 31, 2024). New wind strategy advanced to protect right whales. MVTimes. https://www.mvtimes.com/2024/01/31/new-wind-strategy-advanced-protect-right-whales/
The North Atlantic right whales, an endangered species with an estimated population of 360 individuals, face a decline that has local repercussions, evident in the recent discovery of a dead juvenile right whale in Edgartown.
While NOAA identifies entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes as leading causes of whale deaths, the agency acknowledges ocean noise as an additional threat, attributed to energy exploration and development.
The strategy, developed with public and Native American tribe feedback, aims to foster collaboration among wind developers and agencies for mitigating risks to right whales and advancing research. Immediate efforts include avoiding leasing new wind developments in right whale habitats, providing guidance to limit noise during offshore wind activities, implementing vessel strike reduction measures, and employing species observation methods.
Despite these initiatives, turbines are still planned in areas frequented by right whales, raising concerns about potential impacts. Strategies outlined in documents such as "A Wind Energy Area Siting Analysis for the Central Atlantic Call Area" and the draft environmental impact statement for Mayflower Wind address considerations for right whales, including conservation status, habitat, and mitigating potential impacts.
Federal funding allocated to the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries supports ongoing right whale conservation efforts, including monitoring and researching commercial fishing gear.
Avangrid, owning half of the Vineyard Wind project, announced the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind's "Integrated Science Plan for Offshore Wind, Wildlife, and Habitat in U.S. Atlantic Waters." The plan, guiding marine mammal and ecosystem preservation alongside offshore wind power advancement, will be discussed in a webinar on Friday, Feb. 9.
As strategies for right whale protection evolve, challenges persist due to gaps in research about these elusive creatures and the complexities of studying the ocean environment. The strategy emphasizes adaptability based on collected data, recognizing the changing climate's influence on right whale population distribution and habitat.
Charles ("Stormy") Mayo, Director of the Center for Coastal Studies right whale ecology program, emphasizes the importance of "good science" in protecting marine ecosystems. Despite social media speculation, Mayo underscores the need for thorough scientific investigation into potential threats posed by offshore wind development. While no direct evidence links offshore wind projects to whale deaths, the projects' location necessitates research, emphasizing the significance of relying on science for accurate information and informed decision-making.
Source: Eunki Seowoo (Jan 31, 2024). New wind strategy advanced to protect right whales. MVTimes. https://www.mvtimes.com/2024/01/31/new-wind-strategy-advanced-protect-right-whales/
