Publication Details
Please note this explorer contains 2017 and prior publications and is no longer updated. Visit Data Reports Explorer for the latest NCCOS research data and reports.
Marine Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands
Author(s): Costa, B.M. and M.S. Kendall (eds.)
NCCOS Center: CCMA
Center Team: Biogeography
Name of Publisher: NOAA
Place of Publication: Silver Spring, MD
Publication Type: NOAA Technical Memoranda
Date of Publication: 2016
Reference Information: NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 214
Extent of Work: 359 pp.
Abstract: The state of Hawai‘i is working to develop local renewable energy sources to reduce its dependence on
fossil fuels. Most of the State’s potential renewable energy resources (notably, wind) are located in federal
waters from 3 to 200 nm offshore. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) regulates the leasing,
construction and operation of most renewable energy projects in federal waters. This regulatory responsibility
requires BOEM to assess potential impacts of renewable energy development on the human, marine and coastal
environments. BOEM funded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to characterize
the marine biogeography around the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). This assessment describes the physical
and biological environment and the spatial distributions of benthic communities, fishes, turtles, mammals and
seabirds around the islands. The report and products generated during this assessment were designed to help
BOEM evaluate future offshore renewable energy proposals. Chapter one sets the stage for this assessment by
describing the reasons for conducting this work, introducing the biogeographic assessment process, describing
its implementation in the MHI and outlining the contents of this report.
Availability: Online, as a PDF; see link below.
Related Attachment: Download file (.pdf)
Note to readers with disabilities: Some scientific publications linked from this website may not conform to Section 508 accessibility standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing this electronic content, please contact the lead/corresponding author, Primary Contact, or nccos.webcontent@noaa.gov.