Abstract
INSPIRE Environmental designed and conducted an observational Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) spawning survey (survey) at the request of Deepwater Wind South Fork LLC. to support the South Fork Wind Farm (SFWF) project (Figure 1-1). The survey was comprised of a hook and line investigation onboard for-hire fishing vessels to assess the presence of Atlantic cod spawning activity around the proposed SFWF work area and has a design modified from the reconnaissance Atlantic cod survey conducted during the winter and spring of 2018 (INSPIRE 2019). The SFWF work area is a 1000 m buffered region around the proposed wind turbine generator locations, and comprises the area where work, including anchoring, may occur in the region. The hook and line survey assessed spawning activity of Atlantic cod in and around the work area by determining the maturation stage of collected adult Atlantic cod. Additionally, the survey documented the catch of other fish species present. This final survey report provides the rationale, design, methods, and results of the observational Atlantic cod spawning survey conducted from December 2018 through April 2019.