Abstract
The intent of this draft report is to provide an update on the regional activities of the HMS acoustic telemetry monitoring project that was made possible by the signing of the data sharing addendum (DSA) by Equinor Wind, LLC; Beacon Wind, LLC; Mayflower Wind Energy, LLC; Vineyard Wind 1, LLC; Park City Wind, LLC; Vineyard Northeast, LLC; and Northeast Offshore, LLC in fall 2022. Accordingly, this report focuses on the regional project’s activities and results during 2022 and 2023 and aims to provide DSA signees with a general overview of the project including species monitored; locations monitored; general and inter-annual patterns of HMS presence, residency, and movements; environmental correlates related to HMS presence; and environmental data measured by acoustic receivers. In-depth analysis of data trends across pre-, during, and post-construction periods will commence in a forthcoming report that incorporates newly obtained data from 2024. Feedback obtained from DSA signees on this draft report will also be considered when scoping the follow-up report that considers 2024 data.