Federal agencies NOAA and BOEM unveil definitive strategy for North Atlantic Right Whale and offshore wind development.
The United States government, through NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at protecting the endangered North Atlantic right whale population while responsibly developing offshore wind energy.
Currently, there are approximately 360 North Atlantic right whales remaining, with about 70 reproductively active females. Climate change is posing a significant threat to these magnificent creatures, and efforts are underway to recover and conserve the species.
To this end, significant investments are being made. NOAA Fisheries has allocated $82 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for initiatives such as monitoring and computer modeling of whale distribution, vessel strike risk reduction, on-demand fishing gear, and enforcement efforts. BOEM, on the other hand, has committed over $13.8 million towards acoustic impact modeling, passive acoustic monitoring, and various North Atlantic right whale-related studies.
The strategy identifies three main goals: mitigation and decision-support tools, research and monitoring, and collaboration, communication, and outreach. These goals will allow for continued, coordinated, and efficient collaborations between BOEM, NOAA Fisheries, and partners. They will also ensure the collection and application of the best available scientific information and data insights to inform future decisions, including monitoring and mitigation programs.
Immediate impact mitigation efforts include avoiding leasing in potential North Atlantic right whale habitat and high use areas, and providing guidance to developers on sound field verification. The strategy also includes implementing the Federal Survey Mitigation Strategy to limit the impact of offshore wind energy development on NOAA Fisheries survey activities, including those focused on monitoring North Atlantic right whales.
In addition, NOAA Fisheries has formed a new partnership with the Center for Enterprise Modernization to develop technologies and engineering approaches related to whale detection, vessel strike avoidance, and on-demand or "ropeless" fishing gear. Federal agencies are also partnering with the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind to assess monitoring methods for marine mammals during offshore wind construction activities.
The draft strategy was developed to support the Biden-Harris Administration's goal of developing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030. NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit stated that working together on this strategy leverages the best available scientific information to inform offshore wind management decisions while conserving and recovering the species. BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein added that the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring offshore wind energy development is done in a responsible manner.
The North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy provides guidance for a coordinated effort across the federal government and with agency partners to protect and promote the recovery of North Atlantic right whales and other marine life while responsibly developing offshore wind energy. Media contacts for NOAA and BOEM are available at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.
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