Agencies seek public comment on implementation strategy for Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
To support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of advancing offshore wind energy production, NOAA Fisheries and BOEM developed a Draft Federal Survey Mitigation Strategy. It addresses anticipated impacts of offshore wind energy development on NOAA Fisheries’ scientific surveys. The joint strategy underscores our shared commitment to advance offshore wind energy production responsibly while protecting marine biodiversity and promoting cooperative ocean use.
NOAA Fisheries’ surveys are essential for the sustainable management of our nation’s fisheries, recovery of protected resources, conservation of habitats and ecosystems, and understanding the impacts of climate change. The implementation strategy identifies the essential components of mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on the surveys, as well as actions to accomplish the goals and objectives of mitigation. While this initial strategy focuses on the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, it will serve as a model to address the impacts of offshore wind on NOAA Fisheries surveys nationwide.
“This strategy will help maintain the quality of our surveys and data, while also facilitating the development of offshore wind energy,” said Janet Coit, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries.
Continue reading at NOAA Fisheries
Image via NOAA Fisheries
