Behavioral effects of sound sources from offshore renewable energy construction on the black sea bass (Centropristis striata) and longfin squid (Doryteuthis pealeii)

The objectives are to examine the effects of offshore windfarm construction noise on two key commercially and ecological important taxa, squid and black sea bass, using field-based controlled exposures to actual in situ pile driving and associated vessel noise.

1. Characterize the relevant acoustic pile driving signals in pressure and particle motion (in the water column and on the benthos) at varying distances during offshore construction. Carry-out field-based controlled exposures:

2. Quantify the movement, energetic patterns and potential displacement of free-swimming squid and BSB using high-resolution, movement and behavior tags and moored echosounders. The goal is to evaluate potential changes in swimming energetics, swimming patterns and overall displacement from an area.

3. In caged and location-controlled animals examine distance and sound-level dependent impacts to:

• a. Representative, sexually mature reproductive adults schooling and shoaling of squid and BSB, including impacts to communication, group cohesion/predator avoidance, mating behaviors and breeding. The goal is to evaluate critical behavioral impacts to schools and small populations of animals, impacts would influence future populations through disturbance to breeding, intraspecific mating communication, and susceptibility to predators. Multiple spatial scales (distances) and sound levels will be addressed.
• b. Potential hearing loss for in situ exposed animals. The goal is to determine if there are physiological, auditory impacts due to acoustic pressure or particle motion; impacts which could influence sensory systems and balance.
• c. Development and potential premature hatch of immobile squid embryos and egg mops. Initially, in the first year of the study, controlled environment pilot studies will be carried out to better understand the temporal and spatial scope needed to transfer the methods to the field. The goal here is to measure whether pile driving and construction noise exposure will induce premature hatching and late-stage developing embryos, thus a potential impact on future cohorts.

4. Address the overall influence on the biological community around squid and BSB and their habitats, using moored echosounders. The goal is to evaluate whether potential predator or prey availability are also influenced by pile driving. Such data are key, particularly for squids, given their important role a central trophic link in marine food webs.