Indigenous communities have timeless relationships with fisheries that include a culture of respect, stewardship, and sustainability. Offshore wind farm (OWF) development involves fisheries monitoring that can conflict with Indigenous values.

Given the rapid expansion of offshore wind development in the United States (US), the accurate mapping of benthic habitats, specifically surficial sediments, is essential for mitigating potential impacts on these valuable ecosystems.

This whitepaper focuses on the potential of offshore wind innovation in biodiversity protection, highlights technology and startups in the “bluetech” landscape, and classifies startups based upon their impact in the sector. It is intended to serve as a roadmap for venture investors as they engage with relevant startups.

Seeing is believing, and since the earliest days of oceanography, marine scientists have sought to accurately represent and understand the complex ecology of the seafloor. Interpreting data from grab samples and cores, scientists have attempted to tell a complete story of the largest ecosystem on earth. However, removed from context, these samples can misinform seafloor monitoring programs and underrepresent the complex dynamics of the seafloor

This study focuses on infaunal bioturbation, as it has been shown to play a vital role in regulating marine sediment geochemical and physical properties as well as affecting ecosystem function.