The New Jersey Offshore Wind Research and Monitoring Initiative (RMI) has extended the deadline for the RMI Request for Proposals for Expansion of New Jersey’s Motus Wildlife Tracking System to Inform Baseline Avian and Bat Population Movement Near Offshore Wind Energy Areas to August 31st, 2023 at 5:00pm EST.
The short-term research priority identified through the New Jersey RMI for birds is to develop baseline estimates of population-level distribution information (with focus on species of concern, such as Red Knot, Piping Plover, and potentially Roseate Tern) by expanding GPS, Motus, and satellite tag technology to characterize migratory movements – particularly flight altitudes – throughout the NY bight. One of the short-term RMI research priorities for bats is to use best available technologies (e.g. nanotags and Motus network) to determine the extent of bat migration/ activity offshore in the NY Bight (especially for Hoary, Silver-haired, and Eastern red bats). These priorities, while focused on obtaining pre-construction data, will serve as the baseline for future assessments of the impact of offshore wind development on bird and bat species, by characterizing existing movements.
Toward this goal, the New Jersey RMI seeks proposals to upgrade and expand the network of Motus Wildlife Tracking System (Motus) receiver stations in and offshore of our state to fortify coverage in key areas and improve detection rates of nanotagged birds and bats. This project will support studies being done here in New Jersey and will be an important contribution to similar/collaborative projects taking place beyond our borders. Migratory wildlife caught and tagged in states or provinces northeast of New Jersey, for example, may offer especially good insights on movement patterns through and offshore of New Jersey. An expanded Motus network is the infrastructure needed to better understand the temporal movements, migratory routes, and interactions of bird and bat species of interest within on- and offshore environments, which in turn will enable more reliable risk assessments to be made and avoidance/mitigation measures to be designed for potential implementation in offshore wind energy area(s). Motus deployments are intended to be long-term (minimum 5 years).
The RFP can be found on the DEP Bid Opportunities webpage: NJDEP| New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection | Bid Opportunities
For more information about the Research and Monitoring Initiative (RMI) research priorities please visit the RMI webpage: NJDEP| Offshore Wind | Research and Monitoring Initiative (RMI)
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is dedicated to protecting New Jersey’s environment and public health. The agency prioritizes addressing climate change, protecting New Jersey’s water, revitalizing its communities and managing and promoting its natural and historic resources.
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