Abstract
Extensive effort has been invested in predicting and mitigating the effects of human activities on wildlife, including protected species. In recent years, the expansion and development of the offshore wind (OSW) industry has generated an interest in identifying the risk factors to wildlife associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of fixed and floating turbines. This memo compiles the most upto-date information on priority conflicts that are likely to become barriers to OSW progress as environmental compliance issues or stakeholder concerns. This assessment focuses on:
• Identified areas of potential conflict for bird and marine mammal species in the U.S. Pacific, Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes regions.
• Species of marine mammals and birds that could be impacted by OSW development, along with the known issues where data gaps exist, proxies are not available, or there is significant uncertainty.
• Providing an overview of potential OSW cumulative effects on marine mammals and birds; and
• Identifying research topics that have been highlighted by experts as priorities for research and monitoring as the industry progresses.
This assessment will inform a broader effort to identify priorities for technological research and development to improve monitoring methodologies for marine mammals and birds at OSW facilities in the U.S.