The Responsible Offshore Science Alliance recently announced the Final Report for the ROSA Fish and Fisheries Offshore Wind Research Gaps Analysis, a comprehensive, peer-reviewed assessment of where offshore wind fisheries science stands today and where critical knowledge gaps remain along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. ROSA Executive Director Reneé Reilly said, “We are excited to bring this resource to our community to provide a common understanding of progress made and research still needed to understand the impacts of offshore wind on fish and fisheries on the U.S. East Coast”.
The report is a product of ROSA’s Fish and Fisheries OffshoRe Wind Database (FishFORWRD), a catalog of all U.S. Atlantic Coast research, monitoring efforts, programs and stated research needs for offshore wind, fish, and fisheries. The database includes research and monitoring across 11 research categories funded specifically to understand offshore wind potential effects on fish and fisheries. Users of FishFORWRD can view and filter completed and ongoing projects using high-level attributes such as location, receptor, methodology, funder, and more. These projects include funded research and implemented surveys from offshore wind developer Fisheries Monitoring Plans.
However, cataloging projects and research needs alone does not fully illuminate how current research aligns with identified needs, nor does it reveal where additional investment could be meaningful. A more systematic comparison between research needs and projects was therefore necessary to support strategic coordination and informed investment across the Region.
The ROSA Research Gaps Analysis systematically maps 240 research and monitoring projects in FishFORWRD against 70 Summarized Research Needs across the 11 research categories that structure the offshore wind fisheries research landscape. This analysis draws on input from a 15-member interdisciplinary peer review panel representing academia, federal agencies, fishing industry advocates, and consulting firms. Dr. Steve Cadrin, a peer reviewer and Professor at the Department of Fisheries Oceanography at the University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology, thanked ROSA for “providing a valuable compilation and analysis of available information.” and added that “FishFORWRD adds considerable value to other investments.”
The Final Report of the Research Gaps Analysis includes a characterization of the research and monitoring portfolio, background on the gaps analysis methodology and peer review, an assessment of the coverage of research needs, and key insights from peer review panels. The results are intended to support strategic coordination among research funders, scientists, fishing industry stakeholders, offshore wind developers, and resource managers. In doing so, the Research Gaps Analysis helps ensure that future research investments build upon existing work, address remaining knowledge gaps, and advance a shared understanding of offshore wind development and fisheries in the region.
Zach Jylkka, Senior Program Manager, Offshore Wind at Mass CEC stated “As a state economic development agency, it is critical that we responsibly deploy funds to maximize benefits to Massachusetts residents. ROSA’s Gaps Analysis report is a valuable tool for ensuring MassCEC’s science and research investments target pre-vetted, priority topic areas related to the intersection of offshore wind and fisheries, while also minimizing the likelihood of duplicating the efforts of other regional funders in the arena.”
“ROSA’s Research Gap Analysis is an invaluable resource that helps us pinpoint priority research needs and ensure future investments build on what we already know.” added Jennifer McCann, Director of Extension, Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program, Graduate School of Oceanography.
While this report marks a place in time, the Research Gaps Analysis will continue to be updated by ROSA as new research and monitoring projects are funded, and will be made available on FishFORWRD. Subscribe to the ROSA newsletter to follow updates.
A webinar was held on April 8 to share the results of the ROSA Research Gaps Analysis. A recording of the webinar and slides can be found on our website here.
Next Steps
The Research Gaps Analysis identifies where research exists and what research needs are being addressed, but it does not capture what that research has found to date. With over half of the projects in FishFORWRD scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025, research and monitoring results are beginning to accumulate.
“ROSA is launching a webinar series designed to bridge that gap by synthesizing and sharing findings from completed and mature projects mapped to research needs important to the ROSA Community”, said Tricia Perez, ROSA’s Research Program Manager and lead on the gaps analysis. Stay tuned for an announcement of topics and timeline for the webinar series. And let us know which topic area you would like to learn more about first!