New Tool Maps Ocean’s Natural Resources
Last year, the U.S. offshore wind project pipeline grew by 24 percent with more than 35,000 megawatts now in various stages of approval and development. Along with that increased interest come thoughts of protecting the ocean’s natural resources, especially endangered species and commercial fishing interests. A new tool, called the marine mapping tool from the Nature Conservancy, covers the East Coast from Maine through North Carolina and provides information on things like seafloor makeup, fish and invertebrates, as well as marine mammals and birds. With this tool, the Nature Conservancy hopes to give developers who are eyeing a particular area a better idea of the things they should be paying close attention to.
Photo credit: BOEM