[SEMCO] Audubon cruise to Horseshoe Shoals planned

[Melissa Lowe]

For Immediate Release:                                                                                                         Contacts:        
August 20, 2003                                   Melissa Lowe (Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary): 508 349-2615
                        
Mass Audubon Sponsors Cruise to Horseshoe Shoals to Observe Wildlife and Learn About Windfarm Proposal

South Wellfleet, MA. - Horseshoe Shoals is the name given to a large area of shallow water in Nantucket Sound located about six miles from Hyannis and nine miles from Martha's Vineyard. Prior to Cape Wind Associates proposal to build an offshore wind farm comprising 170 wind turbines covering 26 acres, Horseshoe Shoals was only known locally by fisherman, boaters, and other marine enthusiasts. The proposed wind farm would be the largest in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Needless to say, it has generated much attention and publicity and Horseshoe Shoals has found its way onto the "public map," so to speak. 
Many individuals and organizations are concerned about the impact such a large project may have on the marine life and birds that use the area. However, little scientific data is available to support or refute these concerns. For the second season, biologists with Mass Audubon will be conducting surveys of tern activity within Nantucket Sound to assess the potential avian impacts of the proposed wind farm. Common and Roseate terns forage within or pass through the Sound between early May and late September as they move to and from their colonies, foraging areas, and staging sites. Using aerial and boat surveys, Mass Audubon researchers hope to gather information that will shed some light on the actual abundance, dispersal, and daily movements of these terns within Nantucket Sound and around Horseshoe Shoals. 
Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary has organized a public cruise to take participants into this area of controversy. Bob Prescott, sanctuary director will lead this trips aboard the Tiger Shark out of Hyannis Harbor. The focus of the three-hour cruise will be on learning about the birds and marine life of the area. Sightings may include several species of terns that use the area for feeding, leatherback sea turtles and seals. The cruise is scheduled for Sunday, September 14 from 9 a.m. - Noon. The cost is $40 for Mass Audubon members and $45 for non-members. Registration is required and reservations can be made by calling the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508-349-2615. 

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 The Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the west side of Route 6, immediately north of the Eastham/Wellfleet town line.  Trails are open daily 8 am to dusk.  Sanctuary admission is free for members; $5 adults, $3 children for non-members. Call (508) 349-2615 for information.

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Melissa Lowe
Education Coordinator
Massachusetts Audubon Society
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
PO Box 236, South Wellfleet, MA 02663
Phone: 508-349-2615  Fax: 349-2632
mlowe at wellfleetbay.org
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