A Marine Science and Policy Perspective on Offshore Wind Energy in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Jason Adolf, Ph.D., Keith Dunton, Ph.D., and Professor John Tiedemann.
The development of offshore wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuel-based energy is happening rapidly on the continental shelf off the coasts of New Jersey and New York. However, there is a combination of excitement and reservation among academic, environmental and stakeholder groups surrounding this issue – while the need for non-fossil fuel energy is clear, the potential impacts off offshore wind development on the marine environment and economy are unclear. This session will highlight the regulatory, permitting, and monitoring process involved in offshore wind development and highlight the involvement of Monmouth University faculty and students in fisheries monitoring plans aimed at detecting potential impacts of offshore wind development. Non-invasive techniques such as environmental DNA (eDNA) analyses and acoustic telemetry will be discussed with regard their role in the broader picture of understanding the continental shelf marine ecosystem and potential impacts of offshore wind.