Surveys of the Maine Research Array Wind Energy Area Scheduled for January 1, 2026 - March 31, 2026

This notice is to inform you that Maine DMR and partners including the University of Maine, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute will be conducting surveys of the Maine Research Array Wind Energy (MeRA) Area.  This may include: active acoustic surveys, plankton and larval lobster surveys, and servicing of a passive acoustic receiver.   

Survey schedules will be posted here on DMR's website as they are available. 

A list of surveys which are scheduled to take place between January 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026 are below.

Survey Type Survey Goal Frequency Survey Equipment Vessel

Active acoustic survey   

Monitor abundance of pelagic fish and invertebrates

Up to 2 days/month

Hull-mounted Simrad EK80 echosounder system 

R/V Merlin, 37’ converted offshore tuna harpoon vessel    

Plankton and larval lobster survey 

 

Monitor abundance of zooplankton and abundance and larval stage distribution of lobsters

 

Up to 2 days/month

 

Seabird 55 Rosette, SBE 25plus CTD, dual ring net, and neuston net

 

R/V Bowditch, 48’ catamaran, or R/V Maine, 42.3’ converted marine patrol vessel

 

Servicing of a passive acoustic receiver

 

Monitor baleen whale presence

 

One day during the three-month period

 

A bottom mounted SoundTrap ST600 HF acoustic recorder with a VR2AR acoustic release/receiver

 

R/V Maine, 42.3’ converted marine patrol vessel 

 

Please give the vessels the same considerations you would any active commercial fishing vessel, at least 100ft. 

It is not anticipated at this time that DMR will have to ask for gear to be moved for these surveys.

If the surveys are unable to operate due to density of gear within the survey sites, DMR will send out additional notices providing details as to when gear would need to be moved. 

  • The point of contact for this project, and for lost gear, is Casey Yanos, (207) 350-7165, casey.yanos@maine.gov. If gear is lost, please contact Casey or your local Marine Patrol Officer. 

Images of the research vessels are linked in the table above.

These surveys are intended to provide baseline data that will be compared to data collected throughout the construction and operation phases of the Research Array. These surveys are being conducted in response to recommendations from Maine's Offshore Wind Roadmap's Fisheries Working Group. The surveys will help answer critical questions about the impacts of offshore wind development on fishing and the environment prior to commercial development. 

Information on DMR’s role in offshore wind research can be found here.