News

At the MMOA, we recognise the diverse community of marine professionals operating offshore and onshore in our sector, many of whom work as freelancers year-round. As the field season gains momentum and numerous members embark on projects, we want to address the working environment and tackle the issue of unacceptable behaviours that persist. On vessels and installations, a myriad of cultures, ideologies, and opinions coexist, and while they may differ from our own, each individual must be treated with respect.

As a mitigation professional, you deserve respect both in your professional capacity and as a person. Similarly, your colleagues should be treated with the same level of respect; however, situations may arise where this respect is lacking. In such instances, it's crucial to take action. Whether at sea or onshore, speaking up about such behaviour is essential. You can confide in someone onboard or reach out to the onshore office to address the issue. Our Executive Committee members uphold a zero-tolerance policy towards certain comments and behaviours, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Here at the MMOA, we extend our support and guidance to all offshore marine mammal observers (MMOs) and passive acoustic monitoring operators (PAMOs), irrespective of their membership status. If you find yourself in need of assistance or advice, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are committed to providing professional and confidential support to provide a united and empowered international community.

Gordon Foot, an esteemed MMOA member, recently collaborated with our supporting organisation, the IMarEST, to advocate for ending bullying, harassment, and sexual assault at sea. We spoke to him about offshore etiquette, and here’s what he had to say:

“Offshore etiquette is not a ‘nice to have’, it is embedded in the seafarers’ psyche and it is the foundation on which we work and live together. This foundation has to be built on respect. In a business sense you are making an emotional investment, based on integrity, to do the right thing by your shipmate.”

To read more about experiences offshore, check out our interview with Daniella Bordon, who started as a marine mammal observer (MMO) and is now Global ESG Manager for BGP Offshore CNPC, for International Women's Day. If you need to contact someone regarding any of the issues raised above, please contact the Women Offshore's Sexual Assault and Violence Eradication (S.A.V.E.) or the Seafarers Trust.

We value the feedback, ideas, and active participation of our members, which drive the success of our organisation. We encourage both current and prospective members to engage with us, as your contributions are instrumental in shaping our community. Whether sharing insights, project details, or concerns, your input is invaluable. Feel free to email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to share your thoughts and experiences, ensuring that together, we continue to strengthen our community.

The preservation of marine ecosystems has become increasingly urgent amidst escalating environmental threats. A well-used tool for monitoring and mitigation is Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM), which provides valuable insights into the underwater environment.

Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) is used to study marine environments by acquiring sound with hydrophones that detect and PAM operators can analyse acoustic signals emitted by marine organisms, including whales, dolphins, fish, and even invertebrates. By capturing and interpreting these intricate acoustic signatures, scientists and PAM operators can glean invaluable insights into the behaviour, distribution, and abundance of marine species, as well as the ecological dynamics of their habitats. As mitigation professionals, we know PAM is readily used as a mitigation tool and the new guidance provided by JNCC sets a standard for the effective utilisation of PAM technology, ensuring that stakeholders can implement monitoring and mitigation strategies with accuracy and consistency.

The Launch of PAM Guidance by JNCC

The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) has released comprehensive guidance on the implementation of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) techniques. This resource, available on the JNCC website, represents the culmination of extensive research, collaboration, and expertise within the scientific community. Designed to serve as a definitive reference for practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders, the PAM guidance encompasses a wide range of topics, including methodology, equipment selection, data analysis, and best practices for maximizing the efficacy and reliability of PAM applications.

Key Features and Benefits of PAM Guidance

The launch of PAM guidance by JNCC heralds a host of transformative benefits for marine mitigation:

1. Standardisation and consistency: By establishing standardised protocols and methodologies for PAM implementation, the guidance ensures consistency and comparability across diverse mitigation projects, research initiatives and monitoring programs.
2. Enhanced monitoring capabilities: PAM enables mitigation professionals and researchers to monitor marine environments with precision and resolution, offering insights into elusive and cryptic species that may elude traditional survey methods.
3. Mitigation of anthropogenic impacts: By detecting and quantifying anthropogenic noise pollution, PAM facilitates the implementation of targeted mitigation measures to minimise the adverse effects of human activities on marine ecosystems and wildlife.
4. Informing conservation strategies: The data generated through PAM initiatives provide invaluable input for the development of evidence-based conservation strategies, management plans, and policy interventions aimed at safeguarding marine biodiversity and ecosystem health.
5. Capacity building and knowledge sharing: Through the dissemination of PAM guidance and training resources, JNCC encourage capacity building and knowledge sharing within the mitigation and scientific community, empowering stakeholders to harness the full potential of PAM technology for marine conservation.

Looking Towards the Future

In 2021, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released their 'Recommendations for Use of Passive Acoustic Listening Systems in Offshore Wind Energy Development Monitoring and Mitigation Programs' and now we have the new JNCC PAM guidance, mitigation professionals worldwide are now able to standardise their collective efforts to protect and preserve our oceans for future generations. By harnessing the transformative power of Passive Acoustic Monitoring, stakeholders can embark on a journey of discovery, understanding, and stewardship, ensuring that our oceans remain vibrant, resilient, and teeming with life for millennia to come.

The MMO Association (MMOA) recently supported a stakeholder workshop hosted by EnerGeo Alliance, a global trade alliance for the energy geoscience industry. The roundtable on February 28^th, convened a diverse array of stakeholders, regulators, and scientists in South Africa, alongside some of the globe's leading experts, to delve into the potential effects of sound on marine life. Represented by Alex Loureiro, Scientific Director, and Ross Compton, Director of Global Policy, EnerGeo Alliance orchestrated a platform for comprehensive discourse and collaboration on this pressing environmental issue.

The primary objective of this landmark workshop was to facilitate the exchange of knowledge concerning current research status, its relevance to South Africa's context, ongoing research requirements both locally and globally, and crucially, to encourage connections between South African stakeholders and the global scientific community.  Executive Committee member Carolyn Barton delivered the presentation titled 'Marine Mammal Mitigation: Best Practice', supported by Niru Dorrian and Ashleigh Kitchiner, alongside attendees such as Brandon Southall from UW Sound & Marine Mammals, Arthur Popper, Professor Emeritus of Biology at the University of Maryland. Karen de Jong, Institute of Marine Research in Norway; Center of Marine Ecosystem Acoustics and Stephen Kirkman, Specialist Marine Scientist from the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment, branch Oceans and Coast.

Delving into a myriad of topics ranging from regulatory mandates in South Africa to the intricate ecosystems of fishes, invertebrates, and marine mammals, the roundtable provided a holistic overview of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in mitigating the impact of sound on marine life. The stakeholder meeting served as an invaluable platform for open dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among stakeholders from multiple disciplines. EnerGeo Alliance gathered representatives from different areas, environmental organisations, research institutions, and regulatory agencies and the MMOA supported a rich tapestry of perspectives and expertise, underpinning a robust discourse on marine fauna mitigation.

Looking ahead, the MMOA look forward to future events to sustain collaborative efforts, advance marine mammal mitigation initiatives, and promote environmental awareness. In doing so, we reaffirm our collective commitment to driving positive change for a more sustainable future for marine ecosystems.