Tethys, a robust online resource available for free to anyone interested in ocean energy and offshore wind resources, focuses on the environmental effects of energy projects that are proposed, underway or completed in the ocean and above it. The database includes hundreds of scientific papers, techn
Marine ecologists and oceanography experts from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have yesterday (19 May) embarked on a four week survey as part of ongoing work to improve scientific understanding of Scotland’s natural marine environment. Utilising SEPA’s survey vessel, the Sir John
Natural Power, a renewable energy consultancy headquartered in Scotland, is conducting surveys of birds and marine mammals at the First Flight Wind offshore wind farm site in the Irish Sea. Natural Power’s team of ornithologists and marine mammal observers commenced survey work in July 2013, using a
The Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Research Association (OERA) awarded funding to Fundy Tidal, the Canadian Whale Institute (CWI), and Conserve.iO for a marine life observation program including public participation. Free smart phone applications will be available to public (“citizen scientists”), whal
Scotland’s struggling seabird populations are in need of urgent action to halt significant, long-term declines, according to a new report by RSPB Scotland. The wildlife conservation charity is calling on the Scottish Government to urgently address the fundamental lack of protection for seabirds at s
Under the supervision of the Central Command for Maritime Emergencies, CCME, the crews of two specialized vessels held an oil spill exercise for the first time at an offshore wind farm north off Helgoland. The oil recovery ship Thor and multi-purpose vessel Neuwerk were used in the exercise that too
Deepwater Wind has received another permit for its project off the coast of Block Island. Namely, the Rhode Island’s Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) voted unanimously to approve the Block Island offshore wind energy project last night, according to the Providence Journal. The $300-millio
The Scottish Government, in cooperation with several companies and charities, will publish a “Good Practice Guide” that aims to protect the birds, at a summit in Perth today. Scottish Windfarm Bird Steering Group (SWBSG), comprising of the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, RSPB Scotlan
The Newport Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will hold its monthly meeting this week at the Newport Visual Arts Center on the Nye Beach Turnaround. Kaety Hildenbrand, extension marine fisheries educator from the Oregon State University’s (OSU) Sea Grant program, will deliver a speech during the m
DHI United Kingdom (UK), in collaboration with NIRAS UK and BirdLife Denmark, has been awarded an innovative research project investigating collision risks of birds at offshore wind farms. The problem of birds colliding with turbine blades is one of the most significant predicted environmental impac
In a major advancement for the Block Island Wind Farm, Deepwater Wind has received the first major environmental permit approvals needed to begin deployment of this path-breaking project. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) issued Deepwater Wind Water Quality Certificates
Gulf Marine Services, the provider of self-propelled self-elevating support vessels serving the offshore oil, gas and renewable energy sectors, published its Interim Management Statement for the period 1 January to 7 May 2014. The Group has a very significant backlog (the order book at the end of Ma
A coalition of leading environmental and conservation organizations — Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) — and Deepwater Wind announced an agreement to implement additional protections for endangered North Atlantic right
Jennifer Smetzer received funding of $39, 035 from the US Fish and Wildlife Service on April 7, 2014 to continue her IGERT field work in fall of 2014. Jennifer wrote the proposal with her advisers Dr. David King and Dr. Curt Griffin. The funding will cover Nano Tag radio transmitters, re-deployment
