JNCC-Certified Marine Mammal Observation

All marine mammal observation services are delivered by JNCC-certified Marine Mammal Observers, trained to recognised standards and registered with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.Our observers apply: JNCC guidelines Standard JNCC recording forms Best practice mitigation measures This ensures marine mammal observations are consistent, auditable and compliant across the UKCS.

Marine Mammal Observation During Surveys, Construction and Decommissioning

Marine mammal observation is commonly required during offshore activities that generate underwater noise, including: Geophysical and seismic surveys using sound sources such as air-guns Marine industrial operations involving pile driving Offshore construction and infrastructure works Decommissioning activities, including the use of explosives During start-up and live operations, MMOs monitor exclusion zones and advise on mitigation measures where marine mammals or other animals are detected within risk areas.

Mitigation Measures and Exclusion Zones

A core part of marine mammal observation is the implementation of mitigation measures designed to reduce disturbance to marine mammals.These include: Monitoring exclusion zones before and during operations Advising on soft start procedures Delaying or suspending operations where Species of Concern are present Supporting proportionate, informed decision-making during live operations These measures help protect marine mammals while allowing offshore projects to progress safely and responsibly.

Marine Mammal Sightings, Data Collection and Reporting

SOCOTEC’s marine mammal observation services include the collection of accurate, standardised data on marine mammal sightings, behaviour and presence throughout offshore operations.This data: Demonstrates compliance with JNCC requirements Supports environmental enforcement and regulatory review Provides clear evidence of mitigation actions taken Helps clients understand the impacts of operations on the marine environment All observations are recorded clearly and consistently to support post-project reporting.

Marine Mammal Observation
for Offshore Projects

Marine mammal observation services are delivered by JNCC qualified MMOs with direct offshore survey experience, enabling informed decision-making that protects marine life while avoiding unnecessary disruption to survey operations.

Marine mammal observation supports offshore projects where underwater noise may pose a risk to marine mammals and the wider marine environment. SOCOTEC, formerly known as Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys Ltd, provides professional marine mammal observation services delivered by experienced, JNCC-registered Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs), supporting compliant offshore operations across surveys, construction and decommissioning activities.

There is increasing concern around the impact of man-made underwater noise on marine mammals, particularly during seismic surveys, pile driving and other marine industrial operations. Effective marine mammal observation helps minimise disturbance to marine mammals and reduces the risk of injury to Species of Concern, while allowing projects to proceed efficiently and responsibly.

Our MMOs work directly on-board survey and construction vessels, monitoring marine mammal presence, advising on mitigation measures and supporting compliance with Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) guidelines throughout operations.

Marine Mammal Observation

Why Marine Mammal Observation Is Required for Offshore Operations

Marine mammal observation is a regulatory requirement for many offshore and nearshore activities carried out on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). Activities that generate underwater noise — including seismic surveys, air-gun use, pile driving and the use of explosives — must be monitored to reduce potential impacts on marine mammals.

By identifying the presence of marine mammals early and applying proportionate mitigation, marine mammal observation supports environmental protection while helping projects avoid unnecessary disruption, delay or enforcement action.

We deliver marine mammal observation as a practical, vessel-based service fully integrated into offshore operations. Drawing on Aspect’s heritage in hydrographic and geophysical surveys, our MMOs understand how offshore surveys and construction programmes operate in practice.

This operational awareness allows our observers to work collaboratively with crews, communicate mitigation requirements clearly and support start-up and live operations without introducing confusion or delay.

Marine mammal observation delivered by SOCOTEC helps you to:

Meet JNCC guidelines for offshore and nearshore activities
Protect marine mammals and other Species of Concern (SoC)
Apply timely mitigation measures, including delay or shutdown when required
Reduce unnecessary disruption through accurate distance estimation
Collect standardised, high-quality marine mammal observation data
Demonstrate compliance to regulators and stakeholders

We provide JNCC-certified MMOs to support compliant offshore operations across surveys, construction and decommissioning projects on the UK Continental Shelf. Our observers conduct continuous monitoring of defined mitigation and exclusion zones while collecting standardised marine mammal observation data to support clear regulatory reporting and environmental compliance.

Proven Marine Mammal Observation Outcomes

Marine Mammal Observation

Why choose SOCOTEC

Offshore Operational Experience

Our MMOs have direct offshore survey and vessel experience, enabling them to work effectively alongside survey and construction crews while supporting compliant operations.

JNCC-Certified Marine Mammal Observers

All services are delivered by JNCC-certified MMOs trained to recognised standards and experienced in applying JNCC mitigation guidelines during offshore activities.

Practical Mitigation During Live Operations

Our observers provide clear, proportionate advice during start-up and live operations, supporting soft start procedures, exclusion zone monitoring and timely mitigation when marine mammals are detected.

Standardised Data Collection and Reporting

Marine mammal sightings and operational observations are recorded using standard JNCC recording methods, producing consistent, auditable datasets suitable for regulatory review and post-project reporting.

Integrated with Offshore Survey Activities

Drawing on our heritage in hydrographic and geophysical surveys, our MMOs understand how offshore programmes operate in practice, allowing environmental monitoring to be delivered without unnecessary disruption to operations.

Offshore Operational Experience

Our MMOs have direct offshore survey and vessel experience, enabling them to work effectively alongside survey and construction crews while supporting compliant operations.

JNCC-Certified Marine Mammal Observers

All services are delivered by JNCC-certified MMOs trained to recognised standards and experienced in applying JNCC mitigation guidelines during offshore activities.

Practical Mitigation During Live Operations

Standardised Data Collection and Reporting

Integrated with Offshore Survey Activities

Marine Mammal Observation – How It Works

Marine mammal observation involves trained MMOs conducting visual and acoustic monitoring (PAM) for marine mammals before and during offshore activities where underwater noise is present. Observers monitor defined exclusion zones, advise on soft start procedures (area before full power) and initiate mitigation if marine mammals enter risk areas.

A marine mammal observer (MMO) is a trained environmental specialist responsible for monitoring marine mammals during offshore industrial activities. Their role is to help minimise disturbance to marine mammals and reduce the risk of injury by ensuring operations comply with JNCC guidelines and recognised best practice.

As part of SOCOTEC’s service, MMOs work directly on-board offshore vessels, observing marine mammal presence, assessing behaviour and advising on appropriate mitigation measures throughout operations.

All marine mammal observation services are delivered by JNCC-certified Marine Mammal Observers, trained to recognised standards and registered with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

Our observers apply:

JNCC guidelines
Standard JNCC recording forms
Best practice mitigation measures

This ensures marine mammal observations are consistent, auditable and compliant across the UKCS.

Marine mammal observation is commonly required during offshore activities that generate underwater noise, including:

Geophysical and seismic surveys using sound sources such as air-guns
Marine industrial operations involving pile driving
Offshore construction and infrastructure works
Decommissioning activities, including the use of explosives

During start-up and live operations, MMOs monitor exclusion zones and advise on mitigation measures where marine mammals or other animals are detected within risk areas.

A core part of marine mammal observation is the implementation of mitigation measures designed to reduce disturbance to marine mammals.

These include:

Monitoring exclusion zones before and during operations
Advising on soft start procedures
Delaying or suspending operations where Species of Concern are present
Supporting proportionate, informed decision-making during live operations

These measures help protect marine mammals while allowing offshore projects to progress safely and responsibly.

SOCOTEC’s marine mammal observation services include the collection of accurate, standardised data on marine mammal sightings, behaviour and presence throughout offshore operations.

This data:

Demonstrates compliance with JNCC requirements
Supports environmental enforcement and regulatory review
Provides clear evidence of mitigation actions taken
Helps clients understand the impacts of operations on the marine environment

All observations are recorded clearly and consistently to support post-project reporting.

SOCOTEC’s MMOs provide expert technical support offshore, combining environmental knowledge with a clear understanding of survey and construction operations. This experience enables effective communication with crews, proportionate mitigation and efficient, compliant delivery.

Discover our range of Hydrographic & Oceanographic services here

Let’s Talk

If your offshore project requires marine mammal observation to meet regulatory requirements and protect marine wildlife, our experienced MMOs are ready to support your programme.