News and Feature Stories

NOAA Science Supports New York’s Offshore Energy Planning

Posted on March 20th, 2012 (339 days ago) in Accomplishments, Biogeographic Assessment, Coral, Ecosystem Management, Marine Spatial Planning, Technology Transfer

On March 20, 2012, NOAA and New York’s Department of State jointly announced the release of A Biogeographic Assessment of Seabirds, Deep Sea Corals and Ocean Habitats of the New York Bight. The 2-year study, led by scientists at NCCOS and New York’s Department of State Ocean and Great Lakes Program, will advance New York’s management of its coastal waters and guide future development of offshore wind energy projects.

The report provides a detailed assessment of biodiversity and ecological processes of marine habitats, with particular attention to ecologically critical or sensitive species such as seabirds, deep sea corals, and sponge communities. The report will help coastal managers better understand the interactions between renewable energy development and natural resources, and reduce uncertainties for investors in renewable energy projects.

Additional partners for this study included the University of Alaska, Biology and Wildlife Department; the University of Texas, Institute for Geophysics; NOAA and University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping & Joint Hydrographic Center, The Nature Conservancy, Mid-Atlantic Marine Program; NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. For more information visit the NOAA Ocean Science Blog.

NOAA science supports New York’s offshore energy planning