Massachusetts offshore wind developer Bay State Wind has announced plans to provide more than $2 million in grants for research and programs to protect New England’s fisheries and whale populations.
The grants include $1 million for a Bay State Wind Marine Science Grant Program for directed fisheries resources research on the Bay State Wind lease area. Funded projects would focus on addressing specific questions and concerns raised by the fishing industry.
In addition, the Woods Hole Oceanography Institute would receive a $500,000 multiyear grant for the development of advanced whale detection systems, and the New England Aquarium Right Whale Research Project and the Lobster Foundation of Massachusetts would each receive $250,000 to prevent gear entanglement of the North Atlantic Right Whale.
Bay State Wind says it is the only offshore wind developer in Massachusetts that employs a full-time marine biologist. In addition, John Williamson, a prominent voice in commercial fishing, is Bay State Wind’s liaison to fishermen.
“These grants demonstrate Bay State Wind’s commitment to environmental responsibility,” says whale biologist Laura Morse, environmental manager for Bay Sate Wind. “We are taking steps to strengthen the population of the North Atlantic Right Whale, which is weakened by boat strikes and fishing gear entanglements. In addition, Bay State Wind will address two of the main threats to marine life – rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification – with the clean energy that its wind farms will produce.”
Also included in Bay State Wind’s grant program is a $5,000 annual grant lasting five years to the Whale Alert Project for the refinement of the Whale Alert System to prevent lethal ship strikes.
The other grants and initiatives include as follows:
- Center for Coastal Studies – A $5,000 annual grant (up to five years) for the Marine Debris Program will promote marine waste reduction and recycling initiatives;
- National Ocean Science Bowl/Blue Lobster Bowl – A $5,000 annual grant (up to five years) will support the high school Ocean Science Education Program and encourage students to enter into the renewable energy field; and
- Mitigation and Monitoring Advisory Panel – Bay State Wind will develop a panel that includes North Atlantic Right Whale specialists, acousticians and environmental representatives to help build a mitigation and monitoring plan.
Bay State Wind is a 50/50 partnership between Ørsted and Eversource, a transmission company in New England. Together, they are bidding to launch a commercial-scale wind farm 25 miles south of New Bedford, Mass. The environmental research grants would be awarded upon Bay State Wind’s selection as a developer for the offshore project.
