Digital Aerial Baseline Survey of Marine Wildlife in Support of Offshore Wind Energy: Spatial and Temporal Marine Wildlife Distributions in the New York Offshore Planning Area, Summer 2016–Spring 2019

Report

Title: Digital Aerial Baseline Survey of Marine Wildlife in Support of Offshore Wind Energy: Spatial and Temporal Marine Wildlife Distributions in the New York Offshore Planning Area, Summer 2016–Spring 2019

Author:

Pembroke, A.; Robinson Willmott, J.

Publication Date:

January 1, 2021

Document Number:

21-07c

Pages:

Affiliation

Normandeau Associates Inc, APEM Ltd

Sponsoring Organization:

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Technology:

Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind

Receptor:

Marine Mammals, Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning

Document Access

Website:

External Link

Attachment:

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Citation

Pembroke, A.; Robinson Willmott, J. (2021). Digital Aerial Baseline Survey of Marine Wildlife in Support of Offshore Wind Energy: Spatial and Temporal Marine Wildlife Distributions in the New York Offshore Planning Area, Summer 2016–Spring 2019 (Report No. 21-07c). Report by Normandeau Associates Inc. Report for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

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Abstract

NYSERDA tasked Normandeau Associates, Inc., and their teaming partner APEM Ltd. to collect aerial digital imagery over the New York Offshore Planning Area during 12 surveys spaced seasonally over three years between 2016 and 2019. Imagery was captured at a resolution of 1.5 cm at the sea surface and provides information on spatial and temporal abundances of birds, marine mammals, turtles, rays, sharks, large bony fishes, and fish shoals. Spatial patterns were analyzed within distance from shore and water depth zones and reference the proposed Call Areas within the surveyed planning area identified by BOEM at the time of writing. Seasonal density comparisons highlight the differences among zones for each species group. Except for turtles, densities were generally lower in the zone containing the identified BOEM Call Areas.