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Protected Marine Species

Protected Marine Species . & Offshore Wind Energy Development. Susan Barco Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Protected Marine Species of Concern in Virginia . Cetaceans (dolphins, whales & porpoises). Pinnipeds (seals) Sea Turtles. Manatees.

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Protected Marine Species

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  1. Protected Marine Species & Offshore Wind Energy Development Susan Barco Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

  2. Protected Marine Species of Concern in Virginia Cetaceans (dolphins, whales & porpoises) Pinnipeds (seals) Sea Turtles Manatees

  3. Known Threats to Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles • Fishery interaction (commercial & recreational) • Entanglement • Ingestion • Competition • Vessel interaction • Propeller strike • Blunt trauma • Noise

  4. 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

  5. Example: N Atlantic right whale

  6. 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

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

  8. Panel Questions • 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 ELIMINATIONofrisk • 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.

  9. Direct vs. Indirect Threats • 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

  10. 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

  11. Sample of 5 days of shipping per month off VA for one year (April 2008-Mar 2009) • Each line = 1 ship WEA

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

  13. 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.

  14. Panel Questions • 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.

  15. 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

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