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MMOA Logo Blue JPGIt has been a productive year for the Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) and as we conclude 2023 we take note of our contributions to marine fauna mitigation and industry collaborations.

A strategic move in 2023 saw the MMOA launching an overhauled website and new membership tiers, offering Full Membership, Associate Membership, and a Corporate Membership. The association proudly welcomed new Corporate Members, including Atlas Professionals, Ocean Ecology, Edgewise Environmental, EMS Assist Ltd, Geo-quip Marine, and Whale Seeker, strengthening collaborative efforts towards responsible marine mammal observation and mitigation services. All our membership tiers now have access to our forum, where you can search for information, advice and job opportunities. To find out more, take a look at our joining pages. 

Beyond organisational enhancements, the MMOA aims to work with professional, experienced and newly qualified MMOs and PAM operators, industry, government agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs) and academics to improve the profession's effectiveness. This year, the MMOA committee actively engaged with a number of parties at various events: including a stakeholder workshop on the development of a regional action plan for underwater noise hosted by  The Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) on 20th October 2023. The MMOA provided expert insight into underwater noise impacts to assist with their plan to reduce anthropogenic underwater noise to levels that do not adversely affect the marine environment. This commitment underscores the association's dedication to shaping policies that mitigate the impact of human activities on the marine environment.

The MMOA actively contributed to further global conversations with the provision of an opinion note on the use of ‘Super Soft Starts’ for a regulator in Central America. We showcased the association's commitment to influencing regulatory frameworks aligning with sustainable marine mammal mitigation best practices. In a proactive outreach initiative, the MMOA also sought dialogue with Saudi Aramco, seeking insights into their considerations regarding marine mammal monitoring and mitigation during offshore geophysical survey operations to which we are currently following up for a response. The MMOA committee participated in the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) stakeholder engagement centred on proposed updates to the JNCC Marine Mammal Mitigation guidelines for explosives use, reinforcing the association's role in promoting improved practices and also constributed feedback to the JNCC guidance for the use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring in UK waters for minimising the risk of injury to marine mammals from offshore activities.

We also organised a webinar in 2023, with Dr Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara who discussed Important Marine Mammal Areas (IMMAs), from a concept in the Mediterranean to a global initiative and with Dr Brandon Southhall where he examined and explained the recent paper by Dr. Southall and colleagues from 2021 “Marine Mammal Noise Exposure Criteria: Assessing the Severity of Marine Mammal Behavioural Responses to Human Noise”.

Executive Committtee member Patrick Lyne also attended the ECS Conference in Galicia in Spain on behalf of the MMOA where he also presented a workshop that was titled ‘The use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) in the attainment of Good Environmental Status (GES) under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)’.

The MMOA also proudly endorsed the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) funded Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training programme, which was open to graduates, final-year undergraduates and postgraduate students who are studying or working in the area of marine science or related disciplines in Ireland. 

As the MMOA reflects on a year of accomplishments, the association remains steadfast in its mission to lead global efforts in marine fauna observation and mitigation practices in the years to come.

From everyone on the Executive Committee we would like to thank you all for your support and wish you happy holidays as we near the end of 2023!

 

 

ESB MMO Training Programme

The MMOA is endorsing a new Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training programme, funded by Irelands Electricty Supply Board (ESB), which is open to graduates, final-year undergraduates and postgraduate students who are studying or working in the area of marine science or related disciplines. 

The aim of the programme is 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.    

Industry-approved training courses and medicals will be funded to bring individuals up to the standard level of competency for offshore work. These courses include Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), United Kingdom's Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) MMO training with Irish Guideline certifications, and Offshore Energies U.K (OEUK) approved medical and Fit-to-Train certifications. 

The training programme is also being endorsed by the Marine Mammal Observer Association, which will offer one-year complimentary affiliate membership to successful candidates and provide further advice and mentoring support for pursuing a career as an MMO. Our Marine Partners at the IMarEST will also offer one-year complimentary associate membership and one-year access to its career development pathway. 

The MMO training will be provided by the Irish Whale & Dolphin Group and will include classroom-based training, two nights’ accommodation and a half-day at sea experience onboard the research vessel, Celtic Mist. IWDG will also offer one-year complimentary membership to programme participants. 

Ashleigh Kitchiner, Chair of the Marine Mammal Observer Association, commented: “MMOA believes that investing in developing emerging professionals is vital for the growth and sustainability of our industry. We are confident that this MMO Training Programme coupled with our endorsement and support will contribute to the success of each candidate”. 

ESB Offshore Ecology Team, said: “As we continue with our drive at ESB to deliver offshore wind projects as part of our Net Zero by 2040 strategy, we are committed to promoting the MMO role in Ireland, and increasing the number of qualified and experienced local professionals that will play such an important role in the future of the industry. Training programmes such as this will not only add to the creation of employment opportunities but will also contribute positively to help protect species as Ireland develops offshore renewable wind energy.” 

Simon Berrow, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, said: “Over the last 30 years the IWDG has been at the forefront of whale and dolphin conservation in Irish waters. Now, with increasing pressures on our seas, especially the coastal zone, there is more demand than ever for trained and experienced marine mammal mitigation experts. The IWDG is delighted to be working in collaboration with the ESB to provide pathways to joining the offshore industry in an environmental capacity, to ensure the continued safeguarding of marine mammals in Irish waters.” 

Gwynne Lewis, Chief Executive at the IMarEST said: “IMarEST is delighted to endorse this MMO Training Programme. As the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, nurturing the next generation of marine professionals and ensuring their access to the resources, networks, and educational opportunities essential for their development is central to our work. It is vital that we inspire, encourage and support young people to want to have a rewarding career as marine professionals.” 

Qualified MMOs are environmental professionals who specialise in monitoring marine megafauna species and ensure the implementation of mitigation requirements during various industry operations. Such roles will play an important part 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. 

The European Cetacean Society (ECS) conference was held in Galicia, Spain from 16th till 20th April 2023. Patrick Lyne, a committee member of the MMOA, was fortunate to attend and has some fascinating insights from the event, below are his words from his time spent in Galicia.

The conference was and is always a great place to meet up with old friends and new. It is also a great opportunity to learn about new findings in the field of cetacean research, discover the new methods that are being used for data collection or analyses and the changes that are being introduced globally. The conference consisted of events such as lectures, poster presentations and workshops. 

When it came to the workshops, it was hard to choose, and I could not attend everything I would have liked as they were all very interesting. I presented a workshop that was titled ‘The use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) in the attainment of Good Environmental Status (GES) under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)’ where I delivered a short talk on minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) recordings in Irish waters. After the workshop we had a thorough discussion about how authorities can use PAM to determine background noise and help understand how marine mammals use sound, their environment and how anthropogenic noise is impacting them. It was great to hear about the plans to commence acoustic baseline surveys in the French Bay of Biscay in the next few years. 

MMOA Member Gordon Foot is The Ocean Cleanup senior offshore representative and is also a certified MMO/PAM. He is assisting his colleagues Carolina Azevedo (Environmental Coordinator), Sebastian Orue (PSO) and Ana Muzio(PSO) during 24/7 mitigation efforts to ensure compliance to the environmental management plan and, most importantly, looking out for our seaborne friends. It is one considerable team effort with the ship’s crews joining in and keeping a watchful eye out. Observers are critical to our mission, and it is truly an international effort! The team are often joined by albatross, which keeps us company as ‘Jenny’ helps clear the ocean of plastics. 

The MMOA Committee were invited along with other stakeholders and interested parties to attend the Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) workshop run by the BEIS (UK Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) and Joint Nature Conservation Committee JNCC.  Committee members Mike Ambler, Carolyn Barton, Heather Fowle, Patrick Lyne, Ashley Noseworthy & Gary Robinson attended over the two days. 

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