Designing sensors to detect and reduce marine entanglement in the context of California floating offshore wind – June 17, 2026 @ 12 pm (webinar)
Join us for a public webinar on June 17, at 12:00 pm PST, to explore findings from our recent report and learn more about the MoorSea project– an ongoing CEC-funded project related to sensor package development and detection of marine entanglements. Presenters will include Dr. Arne Jacobson, Dr. Maysam Mousaviraad, Eli Wallach, and Greyson Adams.
“Ghost gear” is the evocative term for lost, discarded and abandoned fishing gear found in the marine and coastal environment. This gear can create multiple hazards for marine life.
Secondary entanglement refers to situations where ghost gear becomes entangled with existing infrastructure – creating a new entanglement hazard. The Schatz Center is leading research efforts to support advancements in environmental monitoring for mooring lines used to anchor floating offshore wind farms. Our goal is to expand the capacity of underwater sensors and remote operated vehicles to detect (a) primary entanglements between ghost gear and mooring lines, and (b) secondary entanglements between mooring-line-entangled ghost gear and transiting marine species. Our study focus is the deepwater environment of the Humboldt and Morro Bay Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) off the coast of Northern and Central California.
In order to assess detectability, we first need to characterize: (i) species of concern within these areas, (ii) ghost gear found within this region, and (iii) the metocean environment within the WEAs. (Note: metocean data is key for evaluating the sensor-signal to background noise ratio.)
Our first report, prepared by the Schatz Center and our partner colleagues at H.T. Harvey & Associates for the MoorSEA project, provides a high-level overview of the environmental and biological data associated with the Humboldt and Morro Bay WEAs.
Learn more about our offshore wind research
For more information, contact: schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.
Important note: The Schatz Center is committed to providing research that is accessible to everyone. If you encounter any barriers while using this document or require the information in an alternative format, please contact us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.
Introducing the California Offshore Wind Environmental Monitoring Framework – June 23, 2026 @ 11 am (webinar)
Over the last two years, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF) has worked with over two hundred scientists — in coordination with the California Ocean Protection Council and California Department of Fish and Wildlife — to develop a statewide Environmental Monitoring Framework for floating offshore wind development. This framework provides a science-based foundation to guide the development of site-specific monitoring plans for species, habitats, and oceanographic processes that may be affected by floating offshore wind in California. It identifies potential environmental impacts from OSW development, proposes relevant monitoring questions, and reviews available and emerging monitoring tools.
Join us on June 23 from 11 am – 1 pm for a discussion with CMSF and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on monitoring recommendations and other next steps.
This talk is a production of the Pacific Offshore Wind Consortium. For more information on POWC, please visit powc.us.
For questions about this webinar or to request technical or accessibility support, please contact schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or call 707-826-4345.
Learn more about our offshore wind research
For more information, contact: schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.
Important note: The Schatz Center is committed to providing research that is accessible to everyone. If you encounter any barriers while using this document or require the information in an alternative format, please contact us at schatzenergy@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4345.