|
The MMO induction course follows the syllabus set out below:
Introduction to marine mammals -
- taxonomy
- biological functions including senses and vocalisations
- issues affecting marine mammals, including acoustic disturbance
- potential effects of acoustic disturbance
Legislation -
- Wildlife and Countryside Act
- European Habitats and Species Directive
- Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations
- Offshore Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Regulations
- ASCOBANS
- Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations
Background to the JNCC Guidelines for minimising the risk of disturbance and injury to marine mammals from seismic surveys -
- their origin and development
- the theory of mitigation
- applicability of the guidelines
- the consent process
Introduction to requirements of the JNCC guidelines -
- planning before the survey
- actions during the survey - pre-shooting searches, delays, soft starts
- reporting after the survey
Introduction to seismic surveys -
- principles - basic theory and aims of seismic surveying
- practice - operational procedures and equipment
- types of survey - site, 2D, 3D, 4D, 4C, OBC, VSP
Detailed examination of requirements of the JNCC guidelines -
- use of MMOs - training, experience, requirement for dedicated MMOs
- pre-shooting searches - how to conduct a pre-shooting search, how to maintain awareness of when a pre-shooting search is required
- delays in shooting - frequency of delays, how to deal with delays
- soft-starts - how to achieve a soft-start, soft starts for site surveys and VSP
- soft starts and airgun testing - when a soft start is required prior to testing
- line changes - duration of line change and compliance with the guidelines
- undershooting - how this is achieved, and compliance with the guidelines
- time-sharing - how this affects operations, and compliance with the guidelines
- PAM - use of PAM as a mitigation tool
The role of the MMO -
- monitoring marine mammal presence
- provision of advice on compliance with the guidelines
- monitoring compliance with the guidelines
- reporting
- pre-survey and mobilisation meetings
- other personnel - interaction with the MMO
- situations that may be encountered and how to deal with these
Reporting requirements -
- JNCC Marine mammal recording forms
- demonstration of use of recording forms
- practice examples of recording forms
- other information to report
- submission of reports
Visual monitoring -
- choosing an observation position
- scanning
- visual cues
- influence of weather
- communication with crew
- interpretation of navigation screens
- use of binoculars - choosing binoculars, setting binoculars
Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) -
- advantages and disadvantages
- types of PAM systems - towed arrays and static buoys
- range estimation
- software - IFAW, Pamguard
- using PAM for mitigation
- reporting PAM data
Identification of marine mammals -
- identification guides
- features used in identification of pinnipeds
- features used in identification of cetaceans
- demonstration of identification features of species that may be encountered
- practice at identifying marine mammals
Practicalities of working as an MMO -
- certificates needed
- equipment needed
- working through an agency
Post-training support for MMOs, which could include -
- answering any questions that may arise
- review of report(s) (optional)
For further information see:
|
