Marine Biologist at Office of Renewable Energy Programs
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Department of the Interior
Kyle Baker is a Marine Biologist in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Office of Renewable Energy Programs (BOEM OREP). Kyle has 21 years of experience with scientific and regulatory issues pertaining to protected marine species. Kyle was previously with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where he was the southeast lead on offshore energy and ocean noise from 2001 to 2015 working on energy development and military activity in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. He joined the BOEM OREP team in 2016 to apply his knowledge to offshore wind development and enjoys the challenges of finding solutions to new and complex ocean management issues to ensure environmentally responsible energy development on the Outer Contenental Shelf. He first became interested in animal responses to sound when he played sounds of the ocean surf, highway traffic, tones, and music of the Beach Boys to sea turtle hatchlings to observe their responses on a nesting beach in Costa Rica. Yes, some turtles are attracted to “Good Vibrations”! He has published scientific articles on topics such population impacts sequences to marine mammals, extinction of marine mammals, and monitoring and assessment guidance for protected species. He was a visual observer on BOEM’s Sperm Whale Seismic Study and was an aerial observer for a monitoring plan he designed for the sinking of the retired military ship General Hoyt S. Vandenberg as an artificial reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Most recently, Kyle is on Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative Steering Committee for offshore wind that is establishing wildlife research and monitoring strategies for Atlantic wind energy areas. Kyle’s ongoing efforts with stakeholders has resulted in the establishment of a strategy to launch an Atlantic passive acoustic monitoring network to monitor for effects to marine mammals in offshore wind energy development areas.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET