MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Refining methods for monitoring ecological effects of offshore wind turbine foundations

MATOS Project Code: MEEOWS

Data Type: Data

Project Duration: April 2024 - on-going

Project Description: There is currently considerable interest in gaining a better understanding of how the design and materials used in reef construction can be improved to enhance its value as a habitat. Specifically, researchers are exploring the potential of using materials that are environmentally friendly to marine life in the design and construction of offshore wind turbine foundations. Although studies have demonstrated that larger and taller structures can support more fish, it remains challenging for scientists and engineers to quantitatively compare the fish habitat value of similarly sized underwater structures. We are using a range of methods to evaluate how effective they are at detecting modest differences in how fish and other marine life interact with different structures on Atlantic Beach Reef, New York. These methods include looking at how acoustically tagged fish use these structures.

Principal Investigator:	Bradley Peterson (Stony Brook University)
Email:	Bradley.Peterson@stonybrook.edu

Point of Contact:	Stephen Heck
Email:	stephen.heck@stonybrook.edu

SBU ABR TNC NYSERDA