Project

Baseline Monitoring in the Research Array

Understanding the baseline pelagic ecosystem within the Research Array.

We will collaborate with other state researchers to monitor the baseline pelagic ecosystem within the Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Research Array (Research Array). We will use the data collected to set a baseline understanding of the environment will be used to assess changes caused by offshore wind development within the Research Array. We will conduct acoustic surveys and collect environmental DNA data to inform the baseline monitoring.

Project Goals:

  • Collaborate with state and academic researchers to improve biological understanding of the Research Array.
  • Gather baseline information on pelagic fish communities in the Research Array.
  • Understand current biomass for invertebrates and near-bottom fish communities in the Research Array.

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) supports the baseline monitoring of the pelagic ecosystem in the Research Array in partnership with the University of Maine and Maine Department of Marine Resources. Using the RV Merlin, GMRI will conduct acoustic surveys along predetermined transects within the Research Array site. Survey analysis will identify pelagic fish schools, near-bottom fish biomass, and pelagic invertebrate biomass. The analysis will also develop a baseline understanding of the current depth of the biological maximum to later identify if turbines change water-column stratification or other features.

A view from inside the cockpit of the research vessel, shows a striking orange and blue sunset and a lit computer screen on the boat's dashboard.
A laptop displays acoustics data during a research expedition.
Three men lean over the starboard side of the boat, silhouetted by a blazing orange and blue sunset.
GMRI scientists lean over the boat during an eDNA research expedition.

Water samples will be collected along the survey transects for future environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. These samples could be used for ground truthing results of the acoustic surveys to identify species specific schools and further characterize the pelagic communities.

Collecting both acoustic and eDNA baseline information in the Research Array site will allow for changes in ecosystem ecology to be examined when turbines and moorings have been developed in the area.

Project Team

Project Partners

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