U.S. Agencies Commit to Protecting Endangered Whales from Offshore Wind Farms Using A.I., Other Methods

By B.N. Frank

Offshore wind projects are considered controversial and not only because dead whales and other marine life are washing up on beaches (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). While some still believe that whales and other marine life are not being profoundly affected by development, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has determined that they are and the agency and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management want to reduce its impact. Of course, using artificial intelligence (A.I.) as part of the strategy is risky since A.I. has a reputation for frequently being inaccurate as well as easily exploited by “bad actors”. Additionally using technology of any kind that exposes whales and other marine life to harmful Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) (including wireless) isn’t a great idea either (see 1, 2). Argh!

From Wind-Watch.org:

U.S. sets plans to protect endangered whales near offshore wind farms

Of the 360 right whales left in the ocean, only 70 are reproductively active females.

Two federal environmental agencies issued plans Thursday to better protect endangered whales amid offshore wind farm development.

That move came as two offshore wind developers announced they were swapping projects.

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released final plans to protect endangered North American right whales, of which there are only about 360 left in the world.

The agencies said they are trying to find ways to better protect the whales amid a surge of offshore wind farm projects, particularly on the U.S. East Coast. They plan to look for ways to mitigate any potential adverse impacts of offshore wind projects on the whales and their habitat.

The strategy will use artificial intelligence and passive acoustic monitoring to determine where the whales are at a given time and to monitor the impacts of wind development on the animals.

It also calls for avoiding the granting of offshore wind leases in areas where major impacts to right whales may occur; establishing noise limits during construction; supporting research to develop new harm minimization technologies; and making it a priority to develop quieter technology and operating methods for offshore wind development.

[rest of article available at source]