Oceanography | Vol. 38, No. 2
to ambient mesoscale and submesoscale processes, the charac
teristics of the high frequency processes have likely changed
even in the absence of the wind farms. Again, it will be a chal
lenge to differentiate changes resulting from the offshore wind
development and those that may have occurred as a result of
changing ocean currents and stratification. There is a clear need
for observations focused on high frequency processes to support
the numerical modeling.
All of the knowledge generated in understanding hydro
dynamic effects will also need to be applied to further under
standing regional marine ecology, as the prey fields, including
prey aggregation, and the roles of convergences and localized
upwelling in generating observed prey concentrations must be
better understood.
There are many challenges ahead, but the Consensus Study
Report produced by this NASEM committee is the clearest state
ment possible of the path forward. This is particularly import
ant, as the varied funding entities include federal agencies, off
shore wind developers, and foundations for all of which this
report provides clear guidance on research needs and directions.
Given the dire need for alternative energy sources, there is an
urgent need for progress. The committee should be commended
for producing a clear, eminently readable report with strong rec
ommendations. Let us hope that the resources become available
to meet the challenges that they so eloquently describe.
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AUTHOR
Glen Gawarkiewicz (ggawarkiewicz@whoi.edu), Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
ARTICLE CITATION
Gawarkiewicz, G. 2025. Setting a course for research on offshore wind develop
ment impacts near Nantucket Shoals. Oceanography 38(2):5–6, https://doi.org/
10.5670/oceanog.2025.303.
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