Project summary/abstract purpose this project will directly assist ocean ERA, INC

New College of Florida received a $536,544 Cooperative Agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417), effective September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2028. The award funds the development of a cost-effective and scalable protected species monitoring plan to assess potential impacts of aquaculture operations on Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species and marine mammals. The project delivers a scientifically robust monitoring framework that combines visual and acoustic methodologies to evaluate species distribution and behavioral changes associated with net pen aquaculture facilities, while simultaneously identifying the most cost-effective monitoring approaches for commercial aquaculture operators.

The deliverables include a comprehensive monitoring plan implemented across three phases—pre-deployment, during net pen operation, and post-decommissioning—utilizing vessel-based visual surveys and passive acoustic monitoring devices. A New College of Florida graduate student will conduct field monitoring to identify ESA-listed species (including sea turtles, giant manta rays, oceanic whitetip sharks, and smalltooth sawfish) and marine mammals (such as bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins), while documenting behavioral observations. The award supports vessel hire, acoustic monitoring device deployment and maintenance, data collection activities, and associated operational costs throughout the three-year project period, with field operations conducted at the Sarasota, Florida location.

And future aquaculture businesses in the development of a cost-effective and scalable protected species monitoring plan to assess potential effects to ESA-listed species and marine mammals from aquaculture operations. We will use visual and acoustic monitoring to assess any changes in species distribution and behavior from the aquaculture facility. This will be accomplished by the development of a scientifically robust monitoring plan, which will be implemented before, during, and after net pen deployment. This project will assess not only potential impacts to protected species but will review which monitoring methods are most cost-effective for aquaculture business operators while still allowing for an accurate assessment of potential effects. Activities to be performed this project will fund hiring a vessel for a new college of florida graduate student to deploy two passive acoustic monitoring devices and conduct vessel-based visual monitoring prior to deployment of the velella epsilon net pen structure. During each vessel trip to the farm location, the student will survey the area using binoculars and record information about the presence of ESA-listed species, such as sea turtles, giant manta rays, oceanic whitetip sharks, or smalltooth sawfish and marine mammals such as common bottlenose dolphins and atlantic spotted dolphins. The graduate student will also record any behaviors such as feeding, traveling, resting, etc. During the one year period when the net pen is deployed, the graduate student will use ocean ERA, INC. Vessels to conduct all monitoring and passive acoustic device maintenance and data collection. Funds awarded from this grant will also be used for post-deployment, after net pen decommissioning and removal, to hire a vessel for the graduate student to conduct vessel-based visual monitoring, passive acoustic monitoring maintenance, data collection, and device removal. Expected outcomes there are three major outcomes of this project. The first is to work with ocean ERA, INC. Project staff to review the monitoring methods and assess how successful they were and how they may be modified for future commercial projects. Project investigators will review whether the amount of visual monitoring was sufficient, whether the passive acoustic monitoring maintenance schedule was manageable, if two passive acoustic monitoring devices were sufficient, whether the monitoring plan is scalable to larger and longer term projects, and more. The second expected outcome is to determine if the velella epsilon aquaculture project had any effects (positive or negative) on protected species distribution or behavior. Lastly, if there are any effects from the project, the project team will review what those effects were and if there are any project modifications or best management practices that can be recommended to future projects to potentially reduce such effects. Intended beneficiaries this project will directly benefit ocean ERA, INC. And the velella epsilon project as IT will provide additional funding to develop and implement an enhanced protected species monitoring plan. The results from this project will directly benefit future aquaculture businesses as they develop their plans for commercial aquaculture projects and apply for aquaculture permits. Additionally, this project will benefit the graduate student at new college of florida as IT will provide one part of a multi-faceted graduate level project and thesis on marine mammals and aquaculture in the gulf of america. This project will also directly benefit NOAA fisheries staff who are tasked with reviewing finfish aquaculture projects, as IT will be the first independent research project in the U.S. On the potential effects of finfish aquaculture on ESA-listed species and marine mammals. Gaining information on such effects will provide information that will allow for easier and more expedit