Geophysical Surveys
It is recognised that sound generated from geophysical survey
sources has the potential to cause injury (e.g. hearing damage) and
disturbance to marine mammals (cetaceans and seals). These surveys
determine characteristics of the Earths subsurface by sending
acoustic pulses into the layers beneath the sea floor and recording
the time taken for each wave to bounce back. In the marine
environment, they are used widely by the oil and gas, renewables
and aggregate industries.

Seismic surveys in particular have the potential to result
in a deliberate injury or disturbance offence as defined under UK
regulations
1 to
European Protected Species (EPS). These
species are listed on Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive and in
the marine environment includes all cetacean species. Seismic
surveys typically use an array of air-filled chambers and
hydrophones which are towed behind the vessel. The air-filled
chambers (known as airguns) release bursts of high pressure energy
towards the sea floor and the returning sound waves are detected
and recorded by the hydrophones.
JNCC have developed mitigation
guidelines to be implemented during
geophysical surveys which have been adopted as part of the
consenting regime for geophysical activities within the United
Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) to reduce the risk of deliberate
injury to marine mammals. Whilst the mitigation measures in these
guidelines have some limitations and their effectiveness has not
been and may not be able to be fully tested, they are based on
reasonably conservative assumptions. It is considered that
compliance with these guidelines constitutes best practice and
will, in most cases, reduce the risk of deliberate injury to marine
mammals to negligible levels. The JNCC guidelines do not deal with
disturbance directly, however it is considered that the mitigation
measures contained may also assist in reducing potential
disturbance.
The guidelines were originally written with the oil and gas
industry in mind, however since their conception, the use of
geophysical technology by other industries in the marine
environment has grown, and subsequently these guidelines are also
used by other industries. They have been reviewed five times by
JNCC following consultation with relevant stakeholders. In addition
to these comments, the current revision also considered the 2015
review of marine mammal observer (MMO) data and compliance (Stone,
2015
a
and
b),
new research into potential impacts to marine mammals from
anthropogenic noise and new developments in geophysical and
monitoring technology.
The guidelines advise on the use of marine mammal observers
(MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) to conduct
pre-shooting searches for marine mammals, and a delay in operations
should a marine mammal be detected within a specified mitigation
zone. MMOs receive formal training in their role through attendance
on a JNCC approved
Marine Mammal Observer Courses. Discussions are
currently underway to identify minimum standards for the use of PAM
as a mitigation tool, including operator training
requirements.
In addition to the current guidelines (August 2017), a
standardised marine mammal recording form is provided below. This
is an Excel spreadsheet with embedded worksheets. In addition, a
‘Deck form’ is available which MMOs may prefer to use when
observing before transferring the details to the Excel
Spreadsheets. A guide to completing these forms is also
provided.
After each survey is complete, a ‘MMO report’, is submitted to
the Regulator and JNCC along with the completed marine mammal
recording forms. This report details how the guidelines were
implemented and any problems encountered or instances of
non-compliance. Data from these forms is analysed by the JNCC and a
series of reports have been produced (see below).
The ability to determine range is a key skill for MMOs and a
useful tool to assist in this function is a range finding stick.
Instructions on how to design and use a range finding stick
are provided below.
NOTE:
- JNCC released a revised version of the JNCC guidelines for
minimising the risk of injury to marine mammals from geophysical
surveys in April 2017. This included the introduction of a
compliance reporting process. Since publication, it has been agreed
that BEIS will assume ownership of this process and develop a
regulatory compliance reporting form. Once finalised, the form will
be published and the reporting process will be included in BEIS’
geophysical survey guidance (currently under review). Any queries
in relation to the BEIS compliance process should be directed to Dr
Julie Cook
. As such,
the JNCC guidelines have been updated to reflect this change and
provide details on the different ways in which advice can be sought
on the JNCC guidelines themselves and marine mammal mitigation
conditions attached to a survey consent or licence. Additional
clarification has also been provided on some aspects of the
guidelines, based on feedback received since their publication in
April 2017. These revisions do not alter the mitigation
procedures published in April 2017 in anyway. We apologise for this
further revision to the guidelines and reporting process but
believe this will be of benefit to stakeholders.
- A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document providing further
background to some elements of the guidelines will be published
once finalised.
- The standardised reporting forms are being reviewed and will be
published once finalised.
- A consultation into current MMO training requirements will be
undertaken in 2017. Further information will be published once
available.
- Discussions are currently underway to identify minimum
standards for the use of PAM as a mitigation tool, including
operator training requirements. Further information will be
published once available.
Forms
Reports
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document.
Regulation 41(1a) of the Conservation of Habitats and Species
Regulations 2012; Regulation 39(1a) of the Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2012;
Regulation 34(1a) of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.)
(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015; Regulation 39(1a)
of the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.)
Regulations 2007 (as amended); Regulation 10(a) of the Offshore
Petroleum Activities (Conservation of Habitats) Amendment
Regulations 2007.