Sperm whale diving and splashing with huge tail
Sperm whale diving and splashing with huge tail

Federal Report Confirms Offshore Wind Effect on Whales Produces ‘Temporary Behavioral Changes’

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1 min read
September 20, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With offshore wind projects being blamed for the increase in deaths in whale species in New Jersey and along the East Coast in 2023, the NOAA has issued a final determination on the effects of sonar mapping and wind farms on marine wildlife.

This week, the federal agency issued a ruling on a Virginia offshore wind project. The opinion says effects the wind farm projects has on whales is only ‘temporary behavioral changes’, adding that the uptick in whale deaths is unrelated to projects being touted by the Biden administration.

NOAA Fisheries has issued a final Biological Opinion under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regarding the proposed Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project. The opinion states that while the project is likely to have some adverse effects, it will not jeopardize the survival of any ESA-listed species, including whales, sea turtles, and fish, or harm any designated critical habitats.

The CVOW project, aimed at producing offshore wind energy, has implemented several measures to minimize its impact on endangered and threatened species.

According to the Biological Opinion’s Incidental Take Statement, additional precautions are in place to reduce the effects of any incidental harm caused by the project. Notably, no injury or death to any ESA-listed whales is expected, and any impact on North Atlantic right whales will be restricted to temporary behavioral changes.

BOEM is the primary federal agency responsible for the approval, operation, and decommissioning of the CVOW project. In addition, NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources is proposing to issue regulations and a Letter of Authorization in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act, based on findings from the Biological Opinion. Other federal agencies will also be involved in providing necessary permits and authorizations.

NOAA Fisheries has committed to ongoing collaboration with BOEM and other federal agencies to ensure the CVOW project’s impacts are minimized. This Biological Opinion represents a significant step in aligning energy production goals with wildlife protection mandates.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

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