Offshore wind development has the potential to alter local and regional physical oceanic processes (e.g., bottom stress, turbulent mixing, along and cross-shelf transport, wind-wave interactions), and could alter the transport of fish and shellfish larvae and change the distribution and settlement of ecologically and commercially important species (i.e., Atlantic sea scallop, Atlantic surf clam, and black sea bass) along the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. This study employed two modeling approaches by DHI and RPS, respectively. The DHI approach used the MIKE hydrodynamic model paired with agent-based modeling (ABM) to assess the possible resulting impacts on settlement of larvae. Model results showed that the introduction of the wind energy areas (WEAs) into the model domain reduced the magnitude of the currents, waves, and bed shear stresses mostly within the WEAs. The estimated changes in settlement are unlikely to have relevant ecological, or fisheries impacts on a regional level. However, there could be impacts on the localized sub-population level for these species. More localized studies are likely required to provide further insight into the relevance of the local level changes identified, as well as consideration of survival and recruitment in the areas of settlement change identified in the model results. The RPS approach used the Delft3D hydrodynamic model paired with the Ichthyop biophysical larval dispersal model to assess larval connectivity. Model results showed the main effects of wind energy areas that have sufficient magnitude to potentially alter the population dynamics of the abovementioned species are changes to the hydrodynamics. This includes warming temperatures, which may accelerate the ongoing northward migration of species when superimposed on climate warming. The presence of WEAs may reduce local retention in some areas outside of the WEAs and increase dispersal distances. However, at the scale of the Mid-Atlantic bight, WEAs do not qualitatively impact connectivity patterns. Regional long-term studies are needed to better understand the effects on larval dynamics.

USD: $969,082

2022-09-19 → 2024-10-31