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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 28th, 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.

 Daniella

Happy International Women's Day! Here at the MMOA, we understand that many marine professionals working offshore in our sector are women, more so than in other offshore sectors. We spoke to Daniella Bordon, who started as a marine mammal observer (MMO) and is now Global ESG Manager for BGP Offshore CNPC, about her experiences offshore, the challenges she has faced and what International Women's Day means to her.

"I am Daniella Bordon, the Global Environmental and Sustainability Manager at BGP Offshore, a leading Geoscience Company headquartered in Tianjin, China. While I hail from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro serves as my home base; however, the projects that I work on can take me all over the world.

I encountered persistent challenges in the early stages of my career as a young Brazilian woman. I faced scepticism and harassment, making remarks about my age and insinuations regarding my appearance. Questions such as, "What is she doing offshore?" and inappropriate propositions added to these obstacles. In response, I embraced resilience, recognising that I needed to be doubly resilient to thrive. I devoted myself to extensive study, often exceeding the efforts of many male counterparts in my industry. I learned to advocate twice as intensely to ensure my voice was heard.

Despite the adversities, I came to appreciate the importance of aligning with exceptional individuals within my organisation and forming alliances with counterparts in other companies. Establishing partnerships with professionals became part of an important support system that empowered us to advance in our careers collectively.

While navigating the challenges of the work environment, my greatest struggle as a marine scientist and manager has been balancing multiple roles. Managing the responsibilities of a globally reaching executive, leader, mother, partner, and homekeeper has proven to be an ongoing challenge. The belief that we can excel in all these roles concurrently remains a hurdle I strive to overcome continuously and one that many women face.

One of the most emotionally taxing experiences in this journey has been grappling with the strain of leaving my children at home during work-related travels. Witnessing them fall ill and asking for me to stay has left a profound impact. It is a challenge deeply etched into my memory, serving as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and complexities associated with pursuing a career in a demanding field as a woman.

International Women's Day symbolises recognition of women's achievements and a push for gender equality and opportunity. Speaking out against discrimination is vital to create a fairer society. I'm grateful for the opportunities and support from allies in the industry and within my company who believed in me. Together, we can advocate for positive change and inclusivity."

We would like to thank Daniella for sharing her story with us. If you wish to share your story, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Will you #InspireInclusion in 2024?

Tursiops

 

The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) is pleased to announce that new Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs) have been approved! These IMMAs for the Northeast Atlantic and Baltic Sea have been released after countless hours of work and observations. The newly approved IMMAs represent the final result of a full-year process, including an intensive week-long scientific workshop assessing and presenting data on candidate IMMAs which were then submitted for peer review. They add to an expanding portfolio of global ocean regions that need urgent conservation measures for marine mammals. In this article, Patrick Lyne, a member of the MMOA Executive Committee discusses the importance of the IMMAs.

Concerns raised for endangered species and habitats in the North East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea

The North East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea (NEATLO) Region covers nearly a quarter of the Atlantic Ocean. Species-rich, the region offers essential habitat for feeding and migrating humpback, blue and fin whales. There is deep water habitat for Cuvier’s and other cryptic beaked whale species in the Canary Islands, Azores and Bay of Biscay, and other offshore waters in the region. Besides the prevalent common minke whales, harbour porpoises, common dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, common bottlenose dolphins and harbour seals; there are species endemic to the region such as the critically endangered and decreasing Baltic Sea harbour porpoises and the endangered Saimaa and Ladoga ringed seals. There are several populations of killer whales including the critically endangered Strait of Gibraltar subpopulation with only 39 individuals subsisting on bluefin tuna and lately disabling or breaking the rudders off small boats traversing the region.
 
IMMAs are defined as discrete portions of habitat, important to marine mammal species, that have the potential to be delineated and managed for conservation. The Northeast Atlantic and Baltic Sea IMMA required a week-long North East Atlantic IMMA workshop, held in Hamburg, Germany, in May 2023, which was supported by a grant from the Water Revolution Foundation. The meeting was organised by the IMMA Secretariat of the Task Force. The 53 workshop participants from 13 countries were drawn from the region’s top marine mammal scientists. They started by considering 395 preliminary Areas of Interest (pAoI). The pAoI selected to advance to candidate IMMAs were then defended with text supporting various criteria based on scientific evidence and detailed mapping along with a strong rationale for the boundaries chosen. After an extensive process by an independent review panel, the mapping of these areas is now complete.
 
At the same time, several candidate IMMAs from previous regional IMMA workshops have been re-assessed in recent months, leading to 6 areas reaching full IMMA status. As a result, a total of 39 new IMMAs have been added to the IMMA e-Atlas and are now available for download as shapefiles with associated information.
 
To date, 74.3% of the world ocean has been examined for IMMAs, with IMMAs comprising 13% of the examined area. IMMAs are divided into 57% within exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and 43% in international waters on the high seas. Globally, there are now 280 IMMAs and 185 Areas of Interest (AoI).
 
The IMMA work continues to move ahead to identify important areas in the western North Atlantic and Caribbean with a workshop in May 2024 to be held in Yucatán, Mexico. To discover more about IMMAs, visit the e-Atlas: https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/imma-eatlas/
 
Scientists and marine experts are now calling on governments to take action to utilise the IMMA tool in marine spatial planning, the creation of marine protected areas, and performing environmental impact assessments.

 

ESB MMO Linkedin

ESB has announced the completion of an industry-endorsed Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) Training Programme launched in 2023, which was open to recent graduates, final-year undergraduates and postgraduate students who studied or worked in the area of marine science or related disciplines. 

A key objective of the Programme was to assist in developing marine ecology education and skills to support successful applicants at the early stages of their careers in the marine environmental profession. An additional key aim was to fill a gap in the Irish offshore wind industry’s local supply chain due to a lack of locally based MMOs on the island of Ireland. 

The five successful applicants took part in industry-approved training courses, including Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), United Kingdom's Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) MMO training certifications with additional Irish Guideline modules, and Offshore Energies U.K (OEUK) approved medical and Fit-to-Train certifications. 

Participants took part in MMO training provided by the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDG) and spent two nights onboard the research vessel Celtic Mist at Kilrush, Co Clare, followed by a half-day at sea.  

All participants were also provided with one-year complimentary membership of IWDG, the Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) with professional mentoring support and access to the Career Development Pathway.   

Speaking on the completion of the programme, ESB’s Offshore Ecology Team said: "The ESB Marine Mammal Observer Training Programme, launched in 2023, represented a significant milestone. As of 2024, Ireland now has five newly trained and much-needed MMOs as a result of this initiative. Through this Programme, ESB has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the Marine Mammal Observer role in Ireland, nurturing local talent which will be essential in the delivery of ESB's Net Zero targets by 2040. Our funding has facilitated opportunities to enhance skilled work readiness and has strengthened local talent in collaborating with local organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group amid Ireland's renewable energy expansion. At the heart of this Programme is the inspiration and support of young professionals seeking fulfilling careers in marine ecology and sustainable energy". 

Amy O’Reilly, one of the newly trained MMOs, shared her insights into the experience: “The ESB MMO Training Programme has been a wonderful opportunity and unforgettable experience for me. When I first applied, I had a history of volunteering with marine wildlife charities and was in the middle of a nine-month internship with the cetacean charity, Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch. ESB recognised my passion and drive towards building a career in the Marine Science field. Some of my highlights from the Programme included sleeping on board the Celtic Mist, undergoing training by the very wise and seasoned MMO Mr. Patrick Lyne and, of course, escaping from a helicopter underwater in the BOSIET training. I am delighted to say that with this training as a foundation, I have been able to get my first MMO role with IWDG Consulting working on a short project in Dublin Port”. 

Qualified MMOs are environmental professionals who specialise in monitoring marine megafauna species and ensuring the implementation of mitigation requirements during various industry operations, and they will be key components in the delivery of offshore wind projects over the coming decade. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. 

ESB Offshore wind Training Kilrush Nov2023 Pic 6 2 2

Pictured (Front left to right) MMO Training candidates Thomas Power, Sibeal Alliot, Amy O’Reilly, Margherita Medina, Marthje Schüler, and (rear left to right) Barry Faulkner, Community Liaison Officer ESB, Niru Dorrian, Senior Offshore Ecology Coordinator ESB, Ciara Hamilton, Ecology Team Lead ESB and Patrick Lyne, Marine Consultant IWDG at Kilrush Harbour during ESB’s Marine Mammal Observer Training Programme.

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