The outer continental shelf of North Carolina supports some of the best conditions for potential offshore wind energy in the southeast United States. However, the construction of offshore energy facilities could impact sensitive marine ecosystems. Researchers from the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences are studying the hardbottom rocky reefs that serve as essential habitats for valuable fish species to better understand these unique offshore ecosystems. The researchers use hydrographic sonar survey methods to map the seafloor. These maps can be used to minimize impacts to sensitive seafloor habitats. Read more »
