Statement on Final North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy

BOSTON, MASS. (January 2024) – The New England Aquarium has reviewed the recently released BOEM and NOAA Final North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy. For more than a decade, the Aquarium has been conducting surveys to understand the distribution and abundance of animals in waters slated for wind energy development. The Aquarium supports the best possible protections for right whales as offshore wind energy develops.

We applaud the agencies for acknowledging the role of applying the best available scientific information on vessel strike risk reduction measures and the emphasis on prioritizing collaboration and data sharing. The offshore wind strategy, however, falls short in clarifying how mitigation, research, and monitoring efforts should occur to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

The New England Aquarium supports the need for rigorous, scientifically based review of industry development and practices that avoid, minimize, or mitigate harm to marine species and habitats. The blue economy of the future is one where the needs of clean energy must be met while simultaneously safeguarding marine species and habitats.

John Mandelman, Ph.D.

Vice President and Chief Scientist, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life

New England Aquarium

To read the New England Aquarium’s technical comments submitted to BOEM and NOAA the Draft North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy, click here.

MEDIA CONTACT: Pam Bechtold Snyder, psnyder@neaq.org; 617-686-5068