MMO, PSO & PAM Services

Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) respectively Protected Species Observers (PSOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring systems (PAMs) are especially needed to detect the presence of marine mammals or any other protected species during seismic surveys.

Marine Mammal Observation (MMO) & Protective Species Observation (PSO)

GRAVIONIC provides MMOs respectively PSOs for the purposes of scientific research and also to ensure that industrial operations will be compliant with the guidelines of

• Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC),
• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and
• Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE).

The aim is to minimize acoustic disturbance to marine mammals and other protected species from seismic surveys.

Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM)

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) means detecting and logging animals by listening to their vocalizations (e.g. dolphin and beaked whale echolocation). There are obvious advantages to adopting acoustic monitoring in conjunction with visual monitoring, to try and detect unseen animals during daylight or during periods of darkness, poor visibility weather and unfavourable sea state conditions. PAM is an important part of the existing precautions for minimizing acoustic disturbance to marine mammals and other species. Examples of acoustic disturbance include geophysical seismic surveys and wind farm piling operations.

GRAVIONIC provides:

• Lead MMOs and PSOs (highly experienced, degree qualified biologists)
• MMOs and PSOs (highly experienced marine surveyors)
• Passive Acoustic Monitoring capability
• Experienced PAM operators and approved PAM equipment