From the Executive Director
Dear ROSA Community:
The fall season at ROSA was a busy time and as we approach the end of 2024, I want to take a moment to reflect and offer gratitude. The progress we’ve made together has reached a new high point.
Last month, ROSA released its first Request for Proposals (RFP) for Regional Research. This Program has been in the making for over 5 years! We’ve seen remarkable engagement from our partners, and the commitment to responsible stewardship of our ocean resources has never been stronger.
In this issue of our newsletter, you’ll find details on the RFP, highlights from our 5 Year Anniversary Celebration, and information about opportunities to engage with us. I encourage you to explore these resources and consider how you can contribute to our ongoing efforts.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited about receiving and reviewing the incoming regional research proposals, kicking off our Data Governance Committee, and the next update and expansion of FishFORWRD. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can set the stage for a responsible and sustainable future for our ocean.
Warm regards,
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Reneé Reilly, Ph.D.
Executive Director
renee@rosascience.org
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ROSA Announces Regional Research Program Request for Proposals (RFP) | |
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Last month, the ROSA Regional Research Program kicked off with the release of our first RFP for regional offshore wind fisheries research. Funding for projects awarded from this RFP are provided by the Empire Wind 1 project, which is being developed by Equinor, LLC, as included in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) New York 4 solicitation for awarded Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificates.
These regional research dollars, totaling $3,442,500 are intended to identify and fund hypothesis-driven science, to leverage ongoing research and coordination activities, and to deliver timely results to inform fisheries and offshore wind planning, management, and assessment.
You can see the full Request for Proposals here.
Applicants should submit their concept papers to ROSA by December 20, 2024 by 5pm ET to info@rosascience.org. Answers to questions are posted on ROSA’s website.
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Save the Date: ROSA Advisory Council Meeting December 19th
The next ROSA Advisory Council meeting will be held on Thursday, December 19th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm EST. The agenda will be posted on the Advisory Council Meeting Page, where you can also view previous Advisory Council meeting information. The meeting will include updates from the recent Surfclam and Scallop stock enhancement workshops, and will feature a priority setting exercise for 2025. As a reminder, all Advisory Council meetings are open to the public; please plan to join us!
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Offshore Wind & Fisheries Research Session at NEFMC
ROSA will be organizing the Offshore Wind & Fisheries Research Session, scheduled for January 29, 2025, during the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) meeting in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
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This Council session will feature presentations showcasing cutting-edge research on the interactions between offshore wind development and fisheries in the New England region. Topics will range from baseline ecological surveys to the cumulative impacts on species distribution and habitat. Following the Council meeting, ROSA will host an evening poster session featuring contributions from researchers, students, and offshore wind developers. This networking opportunity will highlight the latest findings and foster collaboration between scientists and stakeholders. Preparations are in full swing! We are working closely with key partners, including offshore wind developers and regional research institutions, to ensure a successful event. Stay tuned for updates as we finalize speakers and details. Interested in presenting? Email us at info@rosascience.org | | |
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On October 28th, ROSA staff, board members, and supporters came together to celebrate the organization’s 5th anniversary. As we gathered to look back at all we have accomplished, it was also a time to focus on all that is yet to come. The day of the event, we publicly announced our Notice of Intent and upcoming Request for Proposals process to officially launch our Regional Science Program.
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The event’s program speakers highlighted the many achievements since ROSA was founded, and also our major projects through work with our sector partners, including the development of FishFORWRD, the issuance of the Report and Recommendations on Fisheries Resource Data Production, Storage, and Accessibility, and hosting the Offshore Wind Fisheries Monitoring Plan Development, Implementation, and Evolution Listening Sessions.
Thank you again to our event sponsors Avangrid, Orsted, Attentive, and AKRF for the support. View the event page and photos here. ROSA support sponsorships are still available. We are looking forward to continued achievements and success over the next 5 years!
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Recognizing Founding Board Member Anne Hawkins for Her Service with ROSA
The ROSA community extends our heartfelt gratitude to Anne Hawkins for her invaluable contributions during her tenure on the ROSA Board of Directors. Anne’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering dedication to fostering collaboration between the fishing and offshore wind industries have been instrumental in advancing ROSA’s mission.
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As Anne concludes her time on the board, we thank her for her commitment and wish her continued success in her endeavors. She will always remain a valued member of the ROSA community. | |
Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting | |
Day 1 focused on offshore wind fisheries research, where ROSA gained insights into ongoing studies, co-presented with the New Jersey RMI on defining our research goals, and engaged in productive discussions on cumulative impacts, its definition, and approaches to future analyses.
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Shellfish Enhancement Workshops | |
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Our Research Project Manager Tricia Perez attended the RSA-Funded Scallop Enhancement Workshop organized by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in Providence, RI. This two-day workshop explored the latest science on sea scallop enhancement, covering seed production, planting and transplanting, ecological considerations, and relevant regulatory and management frameworks. Presentations ranged from Maine and Southern New England to France, Canada, and Japan.
ROSA also participated in a Surfclam Stock Enhancement workshop to continue the conversation from the State of the Science side meeting held this summer.
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Before you go, we invite you to follow ROSA on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates and information on offshore wind fisheries research and monitoring along the East Coast. | | | | |
