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Daniel Doolittle
INTEGRAL CONSULTING
Principal, Offshore Wind
Description
Daniel Doolittle is a seasoned marine scientist and program manager with extensive experience in offshore wind, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. His expertise spans benthic habitat mapping, geophysical site investigations, fisheries management, and advanced environmental survey techniques, including SPI-PV and hydroacoustic mapping. Throughout his career, Daniel has earned a reputation as a leader in marine habitat characterization, environmental compliance, and project management for large-scale energy developments.
Daniel began his career with the NMFS (1997–1999) as a Biological Technician, where he conducted hydroacoustic surveys for midwater fisheries and led assessments of Atlantic scallop, surf clam, and quahog populations on Georges Bank and in the Gulf of Maine. He went on to pursue graduate studies at William & Mary (1999–2003) with a continued focus on field research in scallop habitats. During his subsequent doctoral studies at University of Miami Rosentiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science (2003–2005) and the University of Kansas, Department of Geology (2009–2011), Daniel expanded his research to include habitat mapping in diverse environments such as Antarctica and the Bahamas.
Building on this academic foundation, Daniel transitioned to roles in fisheries management and research. As a Fisheries Biologist II and III for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (2005–2008), he led natural resource and fisheries management initiatives. He later served as Research Coordinator for the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, where he spearheaded habitat and fisheries studies in Kodiak and Homer, Alaska, contributing to ecosystem-based management strategies.
In 2011, Daniel returned to the industry, serving as Senior Geoscientist and Exploration Manager at Fugro (2011–2016). There, he directed large-scale geophysical and environmental baseline studies for offshore wind, oil and gas, and renewable energy projects worldwide. He then joined the start-up consultancy Inspire Environmental as Principal Scientist (2016–2018), where he specialized in benthic and essential fish habitat assessments for both offshore wind and oil and gas clients.
While at Inspire, Daniel led the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) Benthic Assessment for the Offshore Wind Master Plan 1.0. This study characterized potential wind energy areas across predefined depth zones off New York's coast, examining geological properties (sediment composition), geotechnical attributes (seabed density), and benthic habitats.
The assessment integrated high-resolution multibeam echosounder bathymetry and backscatter data with sediment profile image (SPI) and plan view (PV) photography. This combined approach allowed ground-truthing of acoustic findings, documented critical sediment parameters (grain size, shear strength, biological activity), and identified potentially sensitive benthic habitats to inform offshore wind development planning.
Returning to Fugro in 2018 as Regional Environmental Manager for the Americas (2018–2023), Daniel oversaw growth of Fugro’s environmental site characterization and monitoring services for offshore wind developments. He led numerous projects, including benthic habitat assessments, geophysical surveys, and habitat characterization studies. Some notable accomplishments during this time include leading environmental studies for Alcatel Submarine Networks; directing the habitat survey programs for the nation’s first floating offshore wind farm, New England Aqua Ventus, in the Gulf of Maine; delivering benthic community assessments for Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind, Southcoast Wind, Vineyard Wind, multiple Ørsted developments; and initiating the benthic survey program for Leading Light Wind in 2023.
Currently, Daniel serves as Principal at Integral (2023–present), where he leads the firm’s offshore wind practice. He offers both technical and strategic guidance across the firm’s service offerings, focusing on benthic habitat surveys, fisheries assessments, and environmental compliance. Alongside this technical work, Daniel actively contributes to the evolution of policy and standards for the offshore wind industry. He serves on the ACP Offshore Wind Standards Working Group 4, developing the “U.S. Recommended Practices for Geotechnical and Geophysical Investigations and Design.” Additionally, he serves as a member of the NASEM Standing Committee on Commercial Fishing and Offshore Wind, as well as several other regional groups and committees serving topical issues for offshore wind advancement.
Daniel’s extensive experience in marine science, combined with his expertise in advanced survey methodologies and his influence on industry standards, positions him as a key leader in advancing sustainable offshore wind development and promoting best practices in renewable energy. Daniel is based in Providence, Rhode Island.
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