Deepcwind: Application of Active and Passive Acoustics to Evaluate Potential Impacts of Deepwater Offshore Wind Technology on Fish

The DeepCwind Consortium is conducting research and development to bring deepwater offshore wind technology to the Gulf of Maine. As part of the process, we are using active (hydroacoustic surveys) and passive (tagging) acoustic systems to collect baseline data in an effort to ultimately monitor the impacts of a 1/3^rd scale floating wind turbine platform on pelagic fishes and species of interest in the region.  We discuss our application of before-after-control-impact designs to evaluate potential impacts, report on our preliminary monitoring activities and results from 2010 and 2011.  Relative fish biomass (NASC) was different at control and test sites and higher at night than during the day.  Tagged Atlantic salmon smolts, subadult Atlantic sturgeon and adult Atlantic spiny dogfish were detected during spring, summer, and winter (respectively) at the test site.  Challenges encountered to date will be presented in the context of improving monitoring protocols for future deployment(s) of full-scale floating platforms.