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Coexistence with Marine Life

Discover Ørsted’s approach to coexisting with marine mammals, fish, and birds

On this page

Working safely around marine mammals
Surveying fish populations and habitats
Identifying and mitigating impacts on birds
Resources and scientific studies
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Sharing ocean and coastal environments with wildlife


Clean energy from offshore wind farms plays a vital role in eliminating the climate-warming emissions harming marine ecosystems. However, developers must take a careful, nature-conscious approach to constructing the projects which will generate that emissions-free energy. As the American leader in offshore wind, Ørsted is shaping an industry that can successfully coexist with marine wildlife. We plan, construct, and operate our wind farms in compliance with all environmental regulations, using proven mitigation measures to protect wildlife. We partner with research institutions, fund scientific studies, and pilot new technologies that improve protections for marine ecosystems.

What does coexistence mean… for marine life?


Many industries, including offshore wind, share the ocean with marine wildlife. These industries have a responsibility to work in a way that limits negative impacts on underwater creatures. For offshore wind, coexisting with marine life means doing our utmost to mitigate and minimize disruptions to marine and coastal animals.
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Seafloor monitoring at South Fork Wind

South Fork Wind is providing new habitat for numerous species, according to an independent survey.

Learn more about the results

Working safely around marine mammals


Every aspect of our offshore wind farm development, from surveys, to construction, to operations, is regulated by local, state, and federal agencies. Ørsted works closely with environmental and regulatory agencies to ensure we meet all standards for protected species. Among other mitigation activities, we:

  • Comply with vessel speed restrictions to minimize the risk of interactions with marine mammals
  • Comply with time of year restrictions to avoid major periods of fish spawning and marine mammal activity
  • Have dedicated observers constantly monitoring for marine mammals from onboard the vessels used for offshore siting and construction
  • When appropriate, pause site investigations and construction activities when marine mammals or sea turtles enter mitigation zones
A whale jumps out of the sea, one of many marine mammals being protected by the Ørsted-funded WhaleAlert app

An innovative whale awareness system

In an effort to protect whales, Ørsted is funding the WhaleAlert app. This application tracks the location of whales and sends information to mariners in almost real-time, helping vessels avoid collisions and saving whales’ lives.

Monitoring fisheries resources and habitats 


Ørsted monitors fisheries resources before, during, and after the construction of our offshore wind farms in all lease areas. We adhere to the monitoring requirements and guidance of organizations like the Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) and the Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA). 
 

In addition, we work closely with local research institutions, colleges and universities, aquariums, and commercial and recreational fishers to assess fisheries resources and their habitats. Our survey methods are modeled on those used by state and federal agencies, enabling us to tailor our approach to the region and its native species. 

Fish swim by colorful underwater plants which can grow on artificial reef created by offshore wind turbines

Offshore wind turbines make good artificial reefs

Can fish thrive near offshore wind turbines? Yes! Inspire Environmental conducted a study on our Block Island Wind Farm and found that turbine structures create an artificial reef effect, bringing more fish to the area.

Read the study here

Identifying and mitigating impacts on birds


Ørsted works to avoid and minimize any impacts on birds from our offshore wind projects, continually improving our understanding of how birds interact with offshore wind farms. Before projects begin, we complete thorough assessments to identify possible threats to local birds and develop strategies to mitigate predicted impact. We site our projects to avoid bird ‘hotspots’, implement design measures to reduce collision risks, support habitat restoration, fund innovative research, and monitor bird behavior offshore. Together with regional partners, Ørsted uses this research to fill knowledge gaps around birds and offshore wind.

Resources and scientific studies

Sunrise Wind environmental studies
Block Island Wind Farm environmental studies
BOEM offshore wind and marine mammals fact sheet
NOAA statement on whale deaths

Our partners

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Responsible Offshore Science Alliance
Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Land stewardship

We’re committed to creating a clean energy industry that protects natural ecosystems and champions biodiversity.
Marine boat at an offshore wind farm

Mariners

The ocean is a crucial resource shared by many industries. Ørsted aims to create an ecosystem in which offshore wind and fishing can both thrive.