NOAA Fisheries and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have announced the release of a draft joint strategy to protect and promote the recovery of North Atlantic right whales while responsibly developing offshore wind energy.The draft strategy identifies the agencies’ goals and objectives to better understand the effects of offshore wind development on the whales and their habitat. The draft strategy identifies three main goals: 1) mitigation and decision-support tools, 2) research and monitoring, and 3) collaboration, communication and outreach. It focuses on improving the body of science and integrating past, present and future efforts related to North Atlantic right whales and offshore wind development. The strategy also establishes the agencies’ plans to engage stakeholders, partners and other ocean users on these issues. Following review of public comments, the strategy will be regularly evaluated and updated as new information becomes available.
