Ashleigh Kitchiner is a marine mammal ecologist and environmental consultant with experience across the energy, NGO, consultancy, and tourism sectors. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Biology and an MRes in Marine Mammal Genetics from the University of Chester, where she researched the population genetics of long-finned pilot whales in the UK. Ashleigh has worked offshore in roles including MMO, PAMO, and expedition guide, and now specialises in marine mammal ecology, impact assessment, consenting, and policy. She has contributed to large-scale renewable energy projects and developed training and outreach programmes across the sector.

Ashleigh is Chair of the Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA), Vice-Convenor of CIEEM’s Scottish Committee, and co-chairs IMarEST’s “See Your Future” early careers programme. A passionate advocate for collaboration and professional development, she is committed to supporting an inclusive and empowered community of marine professionals through science, training, and knowledge sharing.

Mike completed an undergraduate degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of Aberystwyth and then went on to gain an M.Sc. in Applied Hydrobiology from the University of Cardiff.

After a spell as a biologist with the Environment Agency Wales, Mike trained to become a teacher and was employed as a secondary school science teacher for almost a decade, before moving into the offshore consultancy business in 2010. Mike is now an experienced Marine Mammal Observer, PAM Operator and Environmental Scientist and has undertaken many offshore projects around Africa and Europe.

Mike has conducted marine mammal surveys for MARINElife in the Bay of Biscay, and devotes a lot of his onshore spare time to conservation work with the Wildlife Trusts. Mike has been a full member of the Marine Mammal Observer Association for the past five years and joined the Executive Committee in 2016.

Patrick Lyne has worked in mitigation for 11 years and been involved with the MMOA committee for seven years. Patrick is committed to improving standards of mitigation at a regulatory and MMO (and PAM) level. Industry contraction has affected everyone and perhaps the standards in mitigation more so. However Patrick hopes things will change and would like to see a shutdown employed in all mitigation procedures where an injurious level of sound is used.

He would also like to see experience as part of requirements in future work, such that one MMO and PAM operator on the mitigation team has some credible expertise.

Justin is as a Consultant Biologist and Discipline Lead for Marine Mammals, Board Member for several NGOs, and Senior Offshore Surveyor with over 500 days at sea. He has strong experience in functional ecology, conservation biology, marine mitigation, and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Justin completed his PhD in marine food web dynamics in 2020 and works to apply his findings across many different trophic levels in marine systems. Justin's expertise lies in investigating the effects of anthropogenic and natural perturbations in ecosystems as well as providing associated mitigation services. Regarding the latter, Justin has worked as an Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) for 11 years and has been involved in numerous domestic and international projects.

He previously worked on implementing MPA Management Plans with stakeholders in Ireland, was involved in many national seabird tracking projects, and currently works as a Consultant Marine Biologist in British Columbia, Canada.

Denis is a skilled marine environmental consultant experienced in research and protected species mitigation and environmental sampling. Having worked extensively investigating the distribution and abundance of the IUCN Gray whale population in the shallow waters of Sakhalin Island with Shell and Exxon since 2008, he then moved on to work in the United Arab Emirates with ADNOC since 2019.

He is familiar with behavioral responses and veterinary examination being involved in various projects. He has accrued over 10 years of work experience undertaking a variety of marine environmental surveys and advisory projects for the offshore sectors.

He specialises in Marine Mammal Surveying for Baseline and Environmental Impact Assessments, advisory services, conservation outreach, crew briefing and operational standards.

Ana is an experienced field Biologist and a skilled, motivated professional Environmental Advisor with extensive work experience undertaking various marine environmental surveys and advisory projects for the offshore O&G, coastal renewables, ocean clean-up projects and the maritime construction sectors. 

She has years of experience in marine mammal fieldwork, including mitigation and monitoring of marine megafauna through consulting in numerous projects internationally (Azores, Canary Islands, Middle East, UK, Europe, Oceania, North and South America), gaining valuable experience working in marine protected areas and a UNESCO marine biosphere reserve. 

Ana is a passionate environmental advocate, highly committed to professional standards and professional development, being an associate member of IEMA.

Oyeronke Mojisola Adegbile is a dedicated marine scientist with over 18 years of experience in marine conservation, research, lecturing and environmental consulting. She has worked extensively as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) and Sea Turtle biologist ensuring compliance with environmental regulations in offshore projects in oil and gas, telecommunications and port development.

Oyeronke has led research on marine biodiversity, fisheries management, and marine mammal conservation, collaborating with global organizations and training young scientists. She founded the Nigerian Sea Turtle Network and has been instrumental in marine conservation efforts in West Africa.

As a committed advocate for ocean protection, Oyeronke aims to strengthen MMO training, promote data-driven policies, and enhance industry standards. With her expertise and passion, she is dedicated to advancing the MMOAs mission and ensuring the highest standards in marine species protection.

Morgana Alvarenga is an Oceanographer with an MBA in Project Management and a dynamic career in marine environmental consultancy. Her experience includes cetacean acoustic data processing, marine wildlife rescue, fisheries communities, environmental monitoring and analysis for licensing and monitoring activities in the Oil and Gas sector. With nearly six years as an MMO/PAM before transitioning into an Environmental Coordinator role at BGP Offshore, she brings a unique perspective to marine environmental compliance.

Her expertise focuses on sustainability, capacity-building, and upholding high industry standards. Morgana has led training initiatives to strengthen local expertise, particularly in developing regions, and actively works to align industry practices with environmental conservation, ensuring compliance and best practices in offshore operations.

Passionate about teamwork and knowledge-sharing, she is eager to contribute her experience and dedication to the MMO community, fostering collaboration and professional growth on a global scale.

Morgane is a passionate Offshore Consultant with a dual expertise in geosciences & environment and 13 years of experience within multidisciplinary and international teams in remote areas. She holds a MSc Eng and a BSc in Geology along with a BSc in Biodiversity and Environmental Strategies and has a proven experience in seismic, drilling, geophysical, geotechnical, pile driving and academic research projects worldwide.

Her passion for wild animals led her to focus on the anthropogenic impact of offshore activities. She works on mitigating and minimizing the impact of anthropogenic noise with different stakeholders in offshore activities, from awareness raising and consulting on the client side to the Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) role on the contractor side.

When she is not engaged offshore, she sails the islands of the Antilles, collecting and recording photographic and acoustic data on Caribbean marine mammals to help enrich the database of local NGOs.

We would also like to thank everyone else who has contributed valuable assistance and advice in the development of the MMOA, namely Neil Niru Dorrian, Adriana Mastrangelli, John Keth Faeldonia, Renata Kowalik, Claudia Petta, Ashley Noseworthy, Heather Fowle, Sara Bissett, Gary Robinson, Jacklyn Barrs, Sarah Barry, Craig Bloomer, Wanda Bodnar, Zoe Crutchfield, Monica Arancibia Colgain, Sarah Dolman, Ruth Esteban, Aoife Foley, Alison Gill, Michael Hill, Phil Johnston, Claire Lacey, Gareth MacGlennon, Enda McKeogh, Simon Mustoe, Peter Nilsson, Ed Oliver, Ursula Pena, Chris Pierpoint, Frances Robertson, Juliet Shrimpton, Mark Simmonds, Heather Tabisola, Michael Unwin, Els Vermeulen, Juliet Vines, Caroline Weir, Richard Woodcock, Jon Kenny and Diana Antochiw. We would also like to thank and acknowledge the advice provided for our position statements by David Hannay, Roberto Racca, Paul Shone and Peter Ward.