Benthic Trawl Survey

Benthic Trawl Survey

To evaluate potential impacts to fishery resources at the Study Area we will conduct a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) experiment using a bottom trawl survey.  A total of 20 tows are planned seasonally (spring, summer, fall, winter) within both the Study Area and a nearby control site.  The experiment will be conducted for two years prior to wind farm construction, for two years during construction, and for two years once construction is complete*.  The vessel, gear, and protocols used will be identical to those used on the Northeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (NEAMAP) survey.  All survey work will be conducted in collaboration with Jim and Robert Ruhle aboard the F/V Darana R.

*This survey is still awaiting permitting