ROSA recently launched its new webtool of the FishFORWRD database. You may remember it as the ROSA Fish and Fisheries Offshore Wind Research Database. This version of FishFORWRD updates the original released in 2021 to increase awareness of ongoing work, avoid duplication of efforts, and create a common understanding of research needs. This tool is designed for research funders, fisheries and offshore wind researchers, offshore wind developers, and the public.
The database includes ongoing projects and monitoring efforts specifically funded to examine offshore wind interactions with fish and fisheries.
ROSA would like to thank WSP Inc. for their continued partnership in developing the database and webtool. ROSA would also like to thank Attentive Energy for their financial support to make this update and launch of the webtool possible.
Research Mining for Offshore Wind Data
To populate the database, ROSA Research Project Manager Tricia Perez:
- Mined relevant sources, such as state and federal solicitation project announcements, the BOEM ESP Website and RODA/NOAA/BOEM Synthesis of the Science, and more
- Launched the inaugural ROSA Offshore Wind Fisheries Funder Coordination Meeting to discuss current and future funding
- Held one-on-one meetings with offshore wind developers to confirm survey information within Fisheries Monitoring Plans
As a result, FishFORWRD features:
- An updated list of funded research projects
- Each implemented fisheries monitoring surveyfor OSW developers’ Fisheries Monitoring Plan
- Each relevant research need from 17 different published documents by federal and state agencies and public-private partnerships.
The interactive webtool allows users to filter projects and research needs by location, receptor, methodology, funder, and more. Submission forms are also available for new project submissions and research needs and requested corrections to existing research.
Who will Benefit from FishFORWRD?
Funders
A funder can use FishFORWRD to find ongoing research projects to avoid duplication of efforts in future funding opportunities. Additionally, funders can consult the listed research needs to inform future solicitation topics or to collaborate with entities that have expressed similar needs.
Researchers
By using FishFORWARD, researchers can gain a comprehensive understanding of ongoing work in their area of expertise. The database can help researchers connect with others conducting similar work, allowing them to leverage resources, data, and capacity for future funding applications and better scientific outcomes. Additionally, researchers can consult the research needs list to develop new project ideas for future funding opportunities.
Offshore Wind Developers
OSW developers can also benefit from FishFORWRD by exploring the objectives, targeted receptors, and methodologies used in implemented fisheries monitoring plans. Additionally, developers may use the database to financially support ongoing projects with common interests or to solicit new projects addressing specific research needs.