Protected Marine Species & OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Susan Barco Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

Cetaceans(dolphins, whales & porpoises)

Pinnipeds (seals)

Sea Turtles

Manatees

Protected Marine Species of Concern in Virginia

Known Threats to Marine Mammals and

Sea Turtles• Fishery interaction (commercial &

recreational)

- Entanglement- Ingestion- Competition

• Vessel interaction- Propeller strike- Blunt trauma- Noise

Panel Questions• What do we know about the marine

environment and bird life offshore of Virginia? – Species presence >30 marine mammal & sea

turtle species– Major migratory corridor for ESA listed:

Northern right whale, humpback whale, fin whale, loggerhead sea turtle, Kemp’s ridley & leatherback sea turtles

• What don't we know? – Density estimates, seasonal distribution,

environmental correlates, population status of many species

Example: N Atlantic right whale

Panel Questions

• What are the most pressing issues for research?- Collecting baseline data on protected

species abundance & distribution • Which species should we be most

concerned about at this point?- Endangered whales

Right Humpback Fin

•Can we generalize from research and experience elsewhere in the U.S. and in Europe?

Not really since there are SIGNIFICANT differences between the US Mid-Atlantic & the North Sea in Europe.

Panel Questions

Virginia North Sea- open ocean - enclosed sea- temperate - sub-polar- Gulf stream- migratory corridor- different species - larger structures planned

•What aspects of the OSW development process pose threats to marine life, and are there ways to mitigate?

All aspects of offshore energy development (renewable or not) pose risks to the environment.

Many risks can be mitigated, but: mitigation = REDUCTION of risk NOT ELIMINATION of risk

Although there are DIRECT threats associated with OSW, there are also potentially significant INDIRECT threats such as DISPLACEMENT of human and animal activities into greater conflict.

Panel Questions

Direct threats to marine mammals and sea turtles are those activities that are the DIRECT result of OSW development. They include:• vessel interactions• collision/entanglement with structure(s)• displacement/avoidance or injury due to

noise/vibration associated with construction or operations

Indirect threats to marine mammals and sea turtles are largely of unknown scale and include:• effects on prey species• increased risk of fishery & vessel interaction via displacement out of WEAs

Direct vs. Indirect Threats

Why concerns about DISPLACEMENT?

The waters off VA are CROWDED with competing human activities:• Shipping• Commercial fishing

- Nets- Pots- Dredge & trawl- Purse seine

• Recreational fishing = 100s of boats anchored & trolling• Military training exercises – VACAPES = hundreds

per year• Naval deployments

Sample of 5 days of shipping per month off VA for one year (April 2008-Mar 2009)

Each line = 1 ship

WEA

WEA

Density of shipping per month off VA for one year (April 2008-Mar 2009)

Why concerns about DISPLACEMENT?

We have some data on shipping, but we do not have similar data on fishing activity, military activity, or animal activity.

We have a VERY unclear picture of what happens NOW and no idea of what may change. At this point, we could not likely detect or mitigate potentially detrimental changes to the environment.

• Is there concern that streamlined permitting might shortchange the NEPA process?

Absolutely! None of us are against renewable energy development. We are, however, VERY concerned about rushing development at the expense of environmental oversight regionally and nationally.

It may be renewable, but it’s still development and we should understand the environmental impacts.

Panel Questions

•Are there benefits from OSW turbines, such as foundations acting as artificial reefs?

Probably, especially for fish and possibly for other groups, but there may also be unknowneffects of energy generation and transmission.

Panel Questions