ROSA Update - Summer 2020

SUMMER 2020 NEWS

Dear ROSA Community,

It is with great pleasure that I am writing ROSA’s first update, after becoming the organization’s Executive Director a few months ago. For those whom I have not yet met, I come to this position after a decade of experience in fisheries science and environmental policy with a diverse perspective on the challenges various sectors face having previously worked in academia, state government, non-governmental organizations, and environmental consulting.

Most recently, I spent the last several years as a specialist on projects focusing on offshore development and fisheries. These experiences clearly illustrated the need for broader, regional coordination during this time of rapid change in both fisheries and offshore wind. I am honored to serve as ROSA’s first Executive Director and work with all of you to improve our understanding of the interactions between these industries.

ROSA Mission

ROSA’s mission is to advance regional research and monitoring of fisheries and offshore wind interactions, in the waters from Maine to North Carolina, through collaboration and cooperation. Our work is guided by a board, comprised equally of wind energy developers and fishing industry leaders, and will be supported by an Advisory Council, with broad sector representation, that will provide substantive guidance and strategic direction to ROSA’s efforts. The organization’s core work will be carried out in area- or topic-specific committees, and a Research Advisory Board will provide independent, scientific input to the council and committees.

Advisory Council Applications

We are currently seeking applications from commercial and recreational fishermen to serve on the Advisory Council. See rosascience.org for more information and to obtain an application. The deadline to apply is July 15.

2020 Priorities

Priorities for this year include establishing the Advisory Council and Research Advisory Board, as well as framing out research priorities. We will begin refining ROSA’s priority research areas at the ”state of the science” symposium and workshop this fall, which will be hosted by RODA, NMFS, and BOEM. We are excited for the opportunity to work collaboratively on regional science goals as a member of the workshop planning committee.

Over coming months, we will be building out our website rosascience.org , which will serve as the hub for ROSA information. In the meantime, if you have any questions, I would be happy to hear from you. I am looking forward to collaborating with all of you to make ROSA a trusted and helpful resource.

Best Regards,

Lyndie Hice-Dunton, Ph.D.

Executive Director, ROSA

lyndie@rosascience.org