Abstract
The Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) has designated two wind energy areas (WEAs) in New England: one offshore of Massachusetts and the other offshore of both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Currently, five1 offshore wind developers have lease agreements to build projects in these areas. The New England Aquarium has conducted systematic aerial surveys of endangered whales, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis, hereafter, “right whale”), and sea turtles in these areas since 2011. This report, Final Report: Campaign 6B, 2021, summarizes results from the Campaign 6B surveys conducted in the study area between Fall 2020 and Fall 2021. Patterns in baleen whale density and sighting rates were largely similar those previously reported. Right whale abundance was similar to the past few years, and was highest during winter and spring. Right whales were seen over the Nantucket Shoals during winter, summer, and fall, and were also seen in wind energy lease areas south of Martha’s Vineyard in the spring. Right whales have been seen in the study area in every season since 2017. This year-round occurrence in the study area no longer appears anomalous. Instead, it appears to represent the current pattern for the study area.
Data are available upon request via email to offshorewind@masscec.com.