FishFORWRD | Fish and Fisheries OffshoRe Wind Research Database
FishFORWRD is a catalog of all East Coast research, monitoring efforts, and stated research needs for offshore wind, fish, and fisheries. The objective of FishFORWRD is to increase awareness of ongoing work, avoid duplication of efforts, and create a common understanding of research needs. This tool is meant for research funders, fisheries and offshore wind researchers, offshore wind developers, and the public. The webtool includes links to submit new projects, research needs, and corrections under the Submit Project tab.
Executive Summaries of Updates
FishFORWRD v2.2.0 | October 2025
FishFORWRD v2.1.1 | January 2025
FishFORWRD v2.1.0 | July 2024
Research Gaps Analysis
Phase 2 of FishFORWRD is a Research Gaps Analysis. The ROSA Research Gaps Analysis creates 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.
Gaps Analysis Tool on FishFORWRD
Available now on FishFORWRD!
The Gaps Analysis consolidated duplicative research needs in “Summarized Research Needs” and matching current and ongoing projects objectives to those Summarized Research Needs. The gaps analysis evaluates each Summarized Research Need (SRN) and classifies it as:
- Under Exploration – one or more existing projects are addressing the need (based on their objectives), or
- Research Gap – no projects were identified as addressing that need.
Importantly, even SRNs labeled Under Exploration may still have partial gaps, such as being limited to specific regions, methodologies, or species groups. The new tab makes these distinctions easier to visualize and explore.
Below is a short video on how to use the tool.
2025 Peer Review
In Summer 2025, ROSA held a Peer Review of the Research Gaps Analysis results pulling reviewers from the ROSA Research Advisors and other subject matter experts. The purpose of the Peer Review was to assess the methods used to conduct the analysis and validate the results.
Final Report Coming Soon!
2024 Gaps Analysis Presentation
In Summer 2024, ROSA and our partner, WSP, Inc., worked together to perform this gaps analysis using a process that included consolidating duplicative research needs, matching current and ongoing projects objectives to those research needs, and highlighting which research gaps remain. Below is the presentation given to ROSA Advisory Council members and Research Advisors and the visualization of the results. This Miro Board provides a visualization of which research needs remain unmet and which are currently under investigation and how (by location, methodology, and receptor).
2024 Ranking Survey
Input on the most pressing research categories and needs was solicited by ROSA Advisory Council members, Research Advisors, and interested stakeholders. ROSA used the gaps analysis results and input from the ranking survey to inform topic area selection for the ROSA Regional RFP 01.
FishFORWRD Sponsors
