Ocean Renewable Energy Webinar Series - Understanding Marine Mammal and Seabird Distribution to Inform Offshore Wind Energy: The MOSAIC Project

Oregon Sea Grant’s Ocean Renewable Energy Webinar Series highlights research exploring the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of wave energy and offshore wind energy on the West Coast. The series is designed to share science-based information, respond to community questions and interests, and support a broader public understanding of the potential effects and considerations associated with renewable ocean energy development.

Join for a webinar on Marine Offshore Species Assessment to Inform Clean Energy (MOSAIC), a collaborative research effort led by Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute. This four-year project is collecting baseline data on the distribution and density of marine mammals and seabirds in Oregon and Northern California to inform the planning and development of offshore wind energy. Dr. Dawn Barlow and Dr. Leigh Torres will provide an overview of the project’s goals, methods, and preliminary findings. Their research incorporates visual surveys, passive acoustic monitoring, satellite tracking, photo identification, and genetic sampling to assess species occurrence and behavior across seasons. These data are being used to develop predictive density maps and Species Distribution Models that can support future management decisions and responsible offshore energy development.