New York State
Environmental Technical Working Group
2026 State of the Science Conference
Building on a Strong Foundation: Deepening Knowledge and Finding Collaborative Solutions
2026 State of the Science on
Offshore Energy, Wildlife, and Fisheries
The 2026 State of the Science, hosted by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) on behalf of the Environmental Technical Working Group (E-TWG) and the Fisheries Technical Working Group (F-TWG), was held at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York from June 8–11, 2026.
Highlights
The 2026 State of the Science conference assembled over 460 in-person and virtual participants engaged with environmental, wildlife, fisheries, and offshore energy research. The conference featured nine symposia and and associated discussion sessions that included 29 full-length presentations and 24 lightning talks, and a poster session with 67 posters. Several side meetings and workshops were also held at the conference.
Presentations and discussions focused on the overarching theme of the 2026 conference, Building on a Strong Foundation: Deepening Knowledge and Finding Collaborative Solutions.
The goals of State of the Science Conferences are to:
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Engage and inform interested stakeholders about the state of knowledge regarding wildlife and offshore wind energy development, including ongoing efforts to understand, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts.
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Promote regional coordination by sharing updates on research studies, guidelines development, and other efforts in the eastern U.S. and elsewhere.
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Promote collaboration through expert information exchange and discussion.
Workshop Sessions
Scientific Program
Terms of Use for Video Links
Links to videos for each conference session are provided below where available. These presentation files are provided for personal edification only, and should not be cited without contacting the author(s) directly.
Tuesday, June 9th
Session 1: Welcome and Keynote Address
Video Link
Moderators:
Kate McClellan Press, NYSERDA;
Kate Williams, Biodiversity Research Institute
Welcome and Introductory Presentations
Doreen Harris, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); Commissioner Amanda Lefton, New York Department of Environmental Conservation; Kate McClellan Press, NYSERDA (on behalf of the State of the Science organizing and scientific planning committees)
Keynote Presentation
Framing the Future: Leveraging the Foundation of Evidence, Collaboration, and Novel Technologies for Rapid Insights to Support Offshore Energy Roadmaps — Cormac Booth, SMRU Consulting
Session 2 Symposium: Recent Anomalous Fluctuations in Mid-Atlantic Oceanography, Zooplankton, and Fishes: How Can Data Foster Dynamic Ecosystem-Based Management?
Video Link
Moderator:
Grace Saba, Rutgers University
Organizers: Grace Saba, Josh Kohut, Rutgers University
Oceanographic Conditions from 2024 to the Present in the Middle Atlantic Bight — Glen Gawarkiewicz, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Spatiotemporal Variability of Zooplankton on the New Jersey Coastal Shelf: Assessments Via Ecoglider-Based Survey Methods — Ashley Hann, Rutgers University
When Do They Go? Oceanographic Drivers of Commercial Fish Migration in the Mid-Atlantic, USA — Samantha Alaimo, Rutgers University
Session 3 Lightning Talks: Anthropogenic Effects on Wildlife
Moderator:
Julia Gulka, Biodiversity Research Institute
Reducing Uncertainty in Key Ornithological Impacts From Offshore Wind—Insights From a UK Collaborative Partnership — Lise Ruffino, Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Seabird Collisions With Offshore Infrastructure: A Global Review — Nicholas Pattison, Monash University
To Build or Not to Build: Assessing the Cumulative Impacts of Offshore Wind as a Result of Bird Collision Mortality in the North Sea — Astrid Potiek, Waardenburg Ecology
Assessing Movement Patterns and Habitat Use of Non-Breeding Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) in the U.S. Atlantic in Relation to Offshore Wind Development — Julia Gulka, Biodiversity Research Institute
Decomposing the Offshore Soundscape: An Interpretable Approach to Sound
Source Separation — Robert Bell, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Vessel Noise Causes Transient Changes in Calling Behavior of North Atlantic Right Whales in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Bight — Kirsten Silva, University of Maryland
Session 4 Oral Presentations: Modeling and Tools for Estimating Wildlife Risk
Moderator:
Carl LoBue,
The Nature Conservancy
Simulation Framework for Improving Methodological Choices and Interpretation of Offshore Wind Farm Effect Analyses — Verena Peschko, Federation of German Avifaunists
Environmental DNA as a Biodiversity Monitoring Tool for Offshore Wind Development — Nicole Cubba, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute
Assessing Hydrodynamic Impacts of Offshore Wind Turbine Structures in the Nantucket Shoals Region — Josh Kohut, Rutgers University
Session 5 Lightning Talks: Monitoring Methods
Moderator:
Howard Rosenbaum,
The Nature Conservancy
Assessing Vessel Traffic Risk to Baleen Whales in the New York Bight Using Glider-Based Acoustic Monitoring — Emma Pierce, Stony Brook University
Implementation of an Artificial Intelligence Supported Marine Mammal Acoustic Detection System During Installation of Offshore Wind Farms — Ben Finkes, Tetra Tech
Taking the High Road: Assessing the Effect of Increased Aerial Survey Altitude on Large Whale Detection in the Southern New England Wind Energy Areas — Orla O’Brien, Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium
Validating Monitoring Technologies for Pelagic Fish Biomass and Biodiversity in Offshore Wind Farms — Kari Mette Murvoll, Equinor
Assessing Measurement Bias in Flight Height Estimates From Animal Tracking Devices — Evan Adams, Biodiversity Research Institute
The Use of Barometric Pressure Sensors to Assess Avian Collision Risk With Offshore Wind Turbines — Erik Johnson, Louisiana State University
Consequences of Low Statistical Power for Corroborating Mitigation of Adverse Impacts During Offshore Wind Energy Development — Christopher J. Haney, Terra Mar Applied Sciences
Session 6 Oral Presentations: Sound Source Monitoring at Wind Facilities
Moderator:
Laura Morse, JASCO Applied Sciences
Sound Field Verification of Pile Driving Generated Noise — Samuel Denes, JASCO Applied Sciences
Modeling Underwater Acoustics: The Need to Include Sediments in 3D Vibroacoustic Modeling of Potential Effects — Kathy Vigness-Raposa, INSPIRE Environmental
Hearing the Difference: What Different Assessment Methods Tell Us About Pile-Driving Risks for Cetaceans — Grace Edmondson, University of St. Andrews
Session 7 Lightning Talks: Data Management and Policy
Video Link
Moderator:
Kate McClellan Press, NYSERDA
Characterizing State Influence on Offshore Wind Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring — Leigh LaMartina, Biodiversity Research Institute
MetOcean Data Link: Data to Improve Ecosystem Assessment — Katy Bland, Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System
Data Management Solutions: Unlocking and Linking Data Sources to Improve Regional Seafloor Data Products and Their Applied Uses — Alex Rhoads, INSPIRE Environmental
How Far We’ve Come, and Where We Go Next: A Regional Offshore Wind Fisheries Research Gaps Analysis — Patricia Perez, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance
Offshore Energy Science Coordination in the US Gulf Coast — Shayna Steingard, National Wildlife Federation
Session 8 Symposium: Improving Marine Life and Habitat Data Supply Chains
Video Link
Moderator:
Emily Shumchenia,
Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative
What Are Marine Life and Habitat Data Supply Chains and Why Do They Need to Be Improved? — Emily Shumchenia, Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative
Marine Mammal Models, Seabird Models, OBIS-SEAMAP — Sarah DeLand, Duke University
Seafloor Habitat Data and Data Products — Lianne Allen-Jacobsen, INSPIRE Environmental
Regional Telemetry at a Crossroads: Leveraging Data Sharing and Telemetry Networks for Improved Stewardship of Migratory Marine Fauna — David Secor, Mike O'Brien, University of Maryland
Session 9 Lightning Talks: Assessing Risk
Video Link
Moderator:
Colleen Brust, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Results From a Gradual Roll Out of Pre-Construction Biological Monitoring at the Maine Floating Offshore Wind Research Array — Casey Yanos, Maine Department of Marine Resources
Assessing Marine Aerofauna Priorities, Vulnerabilities, and Exposure to the Emerging Offshore Wind Industry in Canada — Paul Knaga, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Whimbrel Migration Tracking 2022–2024 — Alexandra Wilke, The Nature Conservancy
Assessing the Role of Water Column Depth and Body Size in Humpback Whale Vessel Strike Risk — Zachary Hoffman, Stony Brook University
Advective Supply and Retention of Calanus finmarchicus as Drivers of North Atlantic Right Whale Foraging Habitat — Cameron Thompson, Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Evaluate Fish Mortality and Injury Events at CVOW-C in 2024 and Recommendations to Develop a Monitoring/Response Plan — Becky Weeks, NOAA Fisheries
Moderator:
Julia Dombroski, Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative
Modeling Spatiotemporal Trends of Humpback Whale Mortality Due to Vessel Strike by Cargo Ships on the United States East Coast — Lesley Thorne, Stony Brook University
Establishing Baselines of Baleen Whale Movements in the New York Bight, U.S., Through Satellite Telemetry — Sarah Trabue, Wildlife Conservation Society
Protected Species Monitoring and Mitigation During Ørsted Pile Installation Programs, 2022–2025 — Craig Reiser, LGL Ecological Research Associates
Using Acoustic Monitoring to Assess Offshore Bat Activity in the Gulf of Maine — Nate Fuller, Biodiversity Research Institute
Session 11 Symposium: You Can't Please Everyone
Video Link
Moderator:
Greg DeCelles, Ørsted
Organizers: Chris Sarro, Greg DeCelles, Ørsted
Insights From a Decade of Fisheries Monitoring For Offshore Wind in the U.S. — Brian Gervelis, INSPIRE Environmental
Lessons Learned From Fisheries Monitoring Programs — David Bethoney, Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
Seven Years of Fisheries Monitoring For Offshore Wind: A Retrospective Assessment From a Fisheries Biologist — Chris Rillahan, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Adaptive Monitoring: Designing and Maintaining a Regional Acoustic Telemetry Project in a Fast-Paced, Volatile Offshore Wind Environment — Jeff Kneebone, New England Aquarium
Session 12 Symposium: Challenges and Opportunities in Applying Best Practices Across Offshore Wind Energy
Video Link
Moderator:
Mike Pol, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance
Organizers: Zoe Korpi, Biodiversity Research Institute; Grace Chang, Integral Consulting; Jon Choi, Duke University; Julia Dombroski, Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative; Mike Pol, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance
Existing Guidance and Best Practices For Coordinating Wildlife and Fisheries Monitoring For U.S. Offshore Wind — Emily Shumchenia, Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative; Reneé Reilly, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance
Lessons Learned From the More Established Offshore Wind Energy Industry in the UK — Olivia Burke, Carbon Trust
Recommended Regional Monitoring Standards to Evaluate Impacts to Fisheries and Protected Fish Species From Construction and Operations of Offshore Wind Farms in the U.S. Atlantic — Elizabeth Methratta, NOAA Fisheries
Prioritizing and Standardizing Environmental Monitoring For an Emerging Floating Offshore Wind Industry in California — Rikki Eriksen, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Development and Implementation of Coordinated Monitoring Activities For Marine Mammals Focusing on Passive Acoustic Monitoring — Brandon Southall, SEA, Inc.
Session 13 Oral Presentations: Seabirds
Video Link
Moderator:
Kate Williams, Biodiversity Research Institute
Framework to Identify Seabirds Vulnerable to Offshore Wind Energy Development and Support Strategic Regional Research and Mitigation Planning — Aspen Ellis, UC Santa Cruz
Evaluating Exposure of Endangered Roseate Terns to Offshore Wind Energy Development: Are Common Terns an Appropriate Surrogate Species? — Juliet Lamb, The Nature Conservancy
Integrating Density and Movement Data to Estimate Northern Gannet Risk From Offshore Wind Energy Development — Michael Wethington, Biodiversity Research Institute
Vertical and Horizontal Habitat Use of Great Black-Backed Gulls Within Wind Energy Areas in the Northeast US — Esther Nosazeogie, Stony Brook University
Observations of Marine Bird Behavior at South Fork Wind Farm — Wing Goodale, Biodiversity Research Institute
Session 14 Symposium: Science Communications and Knowledge Exchange
Video Link
Moderator:
Grace Chang, Integral Consulting
Organizers: Leigh LaMartina, Biodiversity Research Institute; Kate Williams, Biodiversity Research Institute; Grace Chang, Integral Consulting; Cris Hein, National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR); Juliet Lamb, The Nature Conservancy
Results of Recent Multi-State Polling Conducted Via the Energy Research Exchange: How Data-Driven Insights Into Public Concerns Can Inform the Selection of Trusted Messengers and the Development of Effective Communication Strategies — Erin McLean, Turn Forward
State-Led and Regional Collaborative Efforts to Disseminate Evidence-Based Scientific Information About Offshore Wind Development — Kate McClellan Press, NYSERDA
Examining the Mechanisms Through Which Misinformation Spreads and Research-Based Recommendations on How These Findings Can Inform Future Science Communication Practices — Shannon Howley, University of Rhode Island
Research on Social Acceptance for Offshore Wind, Including How Energy Justice and Procedural Equity Shape Public Perceptions and Community Trust, and the Use of Virtual Reality as a Tool For Public Engagement With Offshore Wind — Alison Bates, Colby College
The Use of ArcGIS StoryMaps as an Emerging Tool For Translating Complex Scientific Data Into Accessible Visual Narratives For the Public — Jessica Davis, Ørsted
Session 15 Oral Presentations: Fishes and Invertebrates
Video Link
Moderator:
David Bethoney, Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
When Do They Go? Oceanographic Drivers of Commercial Fish Migration in the Mid-Atlantic, USA — Samantha Alaimo, Rutgers University
Movement and Habitat Use of Demersal Finfish at Offshore Wind Infrastructure Before and During Construction Activities — Brendan Runde, The Nature Conservancy
The Effects of Offshore Wind Construction and Operation on Highly Migratory Pelagic Fishes — Jeff Kneebone, New England Aquarium
Atlantic Sturgeon Spatial and Temporal Presence and Interactions Within Multiple Offshore Wind Lease Areas and Cable Routes Within the Northeast — Keith Dunton, Monmouth University
Spatiotemporal and Habitat Suitability Modeling For Sea Scallops in the Mid-Atlantic Bight — Arthur Mabaka, Stony Brook University
Session 16 Symposium: Protected Species Monitoring and Mitigation During Offshore Wind Activities
Video Link
Moderators:
Sharon Whitesell, Anna Turano, Ørsted
Protected Species Monitoring and Mitigation During Ørsted Foundation Installation Programs—A Summary of Mitigation Implementation Including an Overview of PSO and PAM Data — Darren Irleand, LGL
High Level Overview of Bubble Curtains as Noise Abatement Systems — David Doyle, Thayer Mahan
Project WOW — Doug Nowacek, Duke University
COSIMMAS Project — Brandon Southall, SEA Inc.
Session 17 Oral Presentations: Monitoring and Mitigation in Practice
Video Link
Moderator:
Brian Dresser, Tetra Tech
Adaptive Management of the U.S. Offshore Wind Energy Sector: Key Principles and Recommendations For Regulators — Francine Kershaw, Natural Resources Defense Council
Outcomes and Lessons Learned From the Vineyard Wind 1 Benthic Habitat Monitoring Study, One Year After Construction — Alessandra Scripa, Geo SubSea Consulting
Advancing Net Positive Impact For Biodiversity in Offshore Wind Through Oyster and Seaweed Restoration in Shinnecock Bay — Christopher Gobler, Stony Brook University
Refining Methods For Quantifying Ecological Effects of Rock Reefs at the Base of Wind Turbines — Stephen Heck, The Nature Conservancy
Thursday, June 11th
Session 18 Symposium: Lessons Learned From Regional Research Projects
Video Link
Moderator:
A.J. Mabaka, Stony Brook University
Importance of Regional Research Projects For Prioritization and Transferability of Information, With a Focus on the WinMon.be Research Program — Steven Degraer, Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences
Project WOW—Assessing Effects of the First Commercial-Scale Offshore Wind Development in the U.S. — Doug Nowacek, Duke University
PelaGIO—Ecosystem Level Assessment of the Impacts of Offshore Wind Farms — Beth Scott, University of Aberdeen
BOWIE—Environmental/Social Research to Assess Knowledge Gaps and Uncertainties For Benthic Impacts — Martin Solan, University of South Hampton
PrePARED—Studying Predators and Prey Around Renewable Energy Developments — Esther Jones, BioSS
Session 19 Oral Presentations: Fisheries
Video Link
Moderator:
Michael Evans, Ørsted
From Conflict to Coexistence: Offshore Wind Partnerships With the Fishing Industry — Gordan Videll, Sea Services
Charting a Course: A Strategy to Navigate Potential Impacts to Tribal Fisheries From California Offshore Wind Energy Development — Margaret Campbell, NOAA Coastal Management Fellow
A Framework For Monitoring the Socio-Economic Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy Development on Fisheries and Fishing Communities — Angela Silva, NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Impacts of Offshore Wind Survey Exclusion on Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Stock Assessments — Ming Sun, William & Mary Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Mechanical Jigs For Resilience of Sustainable Fishing to Wind Farm Development — Matt Rodriguez, Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation
Session 20 Symposium: Strategies, Plans, and Challenges For Assessing Ecosystem Impacts
Video Link
Moderator:
Evan Adams, Biodiversity Research Institute
Visualizing Hard-Habitat Dynamics in an Offshore Wind Farm — Lianne Allen-Jacobson, INSPIRE Environmental
Far-Field Changes in Benthic Habitat and Community Structure Due to Offshore Infrastructure — Rob Cerrato, Stony Brook University
Food Web Modeling to Anticipate Ecosystem Changes From Artificial Reef Effects — Kimberly Lato, University of New Hampshire
Assessing Transferability of Offshore Wind-Related Benthic Habitat Effects From the North Sea to the US Atlantic — Mary McElroy, Biodiversity Research Institute
Modeling Grey Seal Populations in a Changing Offshore Food Web — Grace Edmondson, University of St. Andrews
Session 21 Symposium: Compensatory Mitigation
Video Link
Moderators:
Kim Peters, Ørsted; Holly Goyert, Biodiversity Research Institute
Introduction — Kim Peters, Ørsted
Hornsea 3 Kittiwake ANS Status, Challenges, Successes — Fraser Carter, NIRAS
Strategic Compensation—The Marine Recovery Fund and Strategic Compensation Studies Project — Anna Tarbet, Renewables UK
Enabling Offshore Wind & Marine Resilience Through Strategic Compensation in Scotland—The Scottish Portfolio of Compensatory Measures — Emily MacDonald, Scottish Government
Lessons Learned From the Gulf Coast: Offsetting Wildlife Impacts With a Strategic Ecosystem Restoration Framework — Erik I. Johnson, Louisiana State University
Version 3.0 of TNC’s Marine Mapping Tool, A Visual Catalog of Mitigation Actions: An Opportunity to Improve Species and Habitat Outcomes Through Context and Coordination of Mitigation Decisions — Marta Ribera, Tricia K. Jedele, The Nature Conservancy
Photo credits: Banner offshore wind farm © Nicholas Doherty; Loggerhead sea turtle © Kate Sutherland; Whale and birds © Humberto Braojos; Benthic habitat © Arhnue Tan; Offshore wind farm © Chuyuss