The overarching goal of this study is to assess the probability of derelict fishing gear interactions with offshore energy-related infrastructure, including floating wind structures, offshore California, that can be used to:Identify regions of greatest risk.Inform potential mitigative strategies.Identify
opportunities for future research and inform future predictive modeling efforts.
Provide scientific and stakeholder communities access to integrated data products.
This information will feed directly into BOEM"s environmental assessments and decision documents and will help BOEM evaluate the need for and implementation of effective and appropriate mitigative strategies.
The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to take advantage of University of California, Santa Cruz"s and NOAA Fisheries" unique expertise and current partnership to achieve the objectives of this study and support BOEM"s science-based decision-making.