November 7, 2024 — The Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are teaming up with the federal government to implement its passive acoustic monitoring program for offshore wind observation.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management launched the Partnership for an Offshore Wind Energy Observation Network (POWERON) Oct. 29. RWSC is slated to receive $4 million over the next three years to lead the program.
“Because the construction and operation of offshore wind facilities will occur within protected species habitats, having a robust monitoring program is critical for understanding the potential impacts offshore wind development might have on these species,” said Jill Lewandowski, chief of BOEM’s division of environmental assessment and director of BOEM’s center for marine acoustics. “One effective method for long-term monitoring is passive acoustics, because it allows us to track vocalizing species and changes to marine soundscapes.”