Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project
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1 Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project Environmental Science Services, Inc. 888 Worcester Street, Suite 240 Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482 781-431-0500; fax 781-431-7434 with support from: Battelle 397 Washington St. Duxbury, MA 02332 781-952-0571; fax 781- 952-5369
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Environmental Science Services, Inc. 888 Worcester Street, Suite 240 Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482 781-431-0500; fax 781-431-7434. Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project. with support from: Battelle 397 Washington St. Duxbury, MA 02332 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project
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Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for
the Cape Wind Energy ProjectEnvironmental Science Services, Inc.
888 Worcester Street, Suite 240Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482781-431-0500; fax 781-431-7434
with support from:
Battelle397 Washington St.Duxbury, MA 02332
781-952-0571; fax 781-952-5369
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Marine Resources
• Benthic Resources• Finfish Resources and Habitat (including EFH)• Commercial Fisheries• Recreational Fisheries• Protected Marine Species
– Whales– Turtles– Other Marine Mammals
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Benthic Studies• Literature review performed• Field sampling conducted in 2001 and 2002• Developed field sampling protocol in
consultation with USACE and EPA• Field studies designed to address whether the
benthic community differs with respect to:– The 3 alternative sites– Water depth– Sediment types– Sand waves– 2001 and 2002 (Horseshoe Shoal only)
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Benthic Grab Locations and Sediment Types
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Van Veen Grab Sampler
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Finfish Resources and Habitat Studies
Sources of Information:• Extensive literature review• MA DMF Research Trawl Data from Nantucket
Sound (including 3 Alternative Sites)– Spring and fall trawl surveys– Evaluated data collected from 1990–2001– Results and trends will be analyzed by year, season,
species composition, site, species abundance • Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) resources
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Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Grids
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Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Grids
1 24 3
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EFH in Nantucket Sound Alternative Sites 1, 2, and 3
Species Eggs Larvae Juveniles AdultsAtlantic cod ALLPollock 2Scup ALL ALLBlack sea bass ALL ALL ALLWinter flounder ALL ALL ALL ALLSummer flounder ALL ALL ALL ALLWindowpane ALLYellowtail flounder ALLAtlantic sea herring 2, 3Atlantic butterfish ALL ALL ALL ALLAtlantic mackerel ALL ALL ALL ALLKing mackerel ALL ALL ALL ALLSpanish mackerel ALL ALL ALL ALLCobia ALL ALL ALL ALLBlue shark ALLShortfin mako shark 1, 3Bluefin tuna ALL ALLLong-finned squid ALL ALLShort-finned squid ALL ALLSurf clam ALL ALL
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EFH Assessment will include: • Description of the Affected Environment of
Nantucket Sound (Physical and Biological) • Life History Characteristics of EFH Species • Likelihood of Occurrence Analysis • Analysis of Effects (Direct, Indirect, Cumulative)
– Construction – Operation – Maintenance – Decommissioning
• Management Alternatives for the Proposed Action
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Commercial FisheriesNMFS Commercial Fishery Data• Commercial landings data - 1990 – 2001
– 1990-1993: “Weigh-Out” Data (Voluntary)– 1994-2001: Vessel Trip Report Data (Mandatory)
• Nantucket Sound in statistical area 538 /sub area 075– 1990-1993 data reported for Area 538– 1994-2001 data reported for Sub Area 075
• Results/trends will be analyzed by:– year – pounds/species– species – gear type
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NMFS Statistical Areas – Southern New England
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NMFS Statistical Areas – RI, Cape Cod and Islands
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Commercial FisheriesMA DMF Commercial Fishery Data• Commercial landings data: 1990-2000• MA DMF Statistical Reporting Area 10• MA DMF reports commercial data by fishery
– gillnet – striped bass – lobster– fish weir – fish pot – shellfish
• Results/trends will be analyzed by:– year – season – species – pounds/species
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MA DMF Statistical Reporting Areas
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Recreational FisheriesNMFS Recreational Data • Recreational data from 1990-2001 for Dukes,
Barnstable, and Nantucket counties• Data reported in 2-month intervals (waves):
– W1: Jan/Feb – W3: May/June – W5: Sept/Oct– W2: Mar/Apr – W4: July/Aug – W6: Nov/Dec
• Data evaluated: – fishing effort by mode – no. of fish reported– fishing effort by hrs fished – no. of fish observed – type of gear – sps. of fish observed
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Recreational FisheriesRecreational Intercept Survey• Purpose: Collect data on recreational fishing effort
and abundance of recreational fish species in Nantucket Sound area and in 3 alternative sites.
• Developed protocol in consultation with NMFS; used methods/approach in NMFS Survey (MRFSS)
• Telephone survey
• Targeted charter boat/party boat captains onCape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard
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Protected Marine Species
Endangered Whales: • Right whale• Humpback whale• Fin whale
End/Thr Sea Turtles:•Kemp’s ridley •Leatherback•Loggerhead
Seals (per MEPA request): •Harbor Seal•Gray Seal (state special concern species)
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Marine Biological Assessment will include:• Protected Species Regulations • Description of the Affected Environment of Nantucket
Sound (Physical and Biological) • Analysis of Population Status/Trends, Food/Feeding
Behaviors, Seasonal Distribution, and Known Mortality Factors/Threats for Listed Species
• Analysis of Effects (Direct, Indirect, Cumulative)– Construction – Operation – Maintenance– Decommissioning
• Management Alternatives for the Proposed Action
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Contact Information
Susan M. HerzEnvironmental Science Services, Inc.888 Worcester Street, Suite 240Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482(781) 489-1132 – phone(781) 431-7434 – [email protected] - email
