ACOUSTIC MONITORING OF HIGHLY MIGRATORY FISH SPECIES IN RI/MA WIND ENERGY AREAS

Jun 2

JOINT NO. 2

The New England Aquarium and INSPIRE Environmental are conducting research on the movements of highly migratory fish species (sharks, tunas, and marlins) in the southern New England wind energy area. Part of this research requires acoustic receivers to be placed on the seafloor in the locations shown as colored circles in the chart below. Receivers have no surface buoys and are connected to a mooring system weighing approximately 75 pounds that extends 2 to 3 meters (6 to 9 feet) off the seafloor, as shown in the below photo. Receivers have been placed near obstructions to the greatest extent practicable to reduce the risk of interaction with mobile fishing gear, and will be deployed in these locations until December 15, 2022.

Fishing Vessels listed below will be involved in tagging trips targeting highly migratory species throughout the RI/MA Wind Energy Area from June through September.