Offshore Industry Advice

JNCC has responsibility for the provision of nature conservation advice in the offshore area. 'Offshore' is defined as beyond 12 nautical miles (nm) from the coastline to the extent of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). Within territorial limits (<12 nm) nature conservation advice is the responsibility of the relevant country agencies these being: Natural England (NE), Natural Resources Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). JNCC work closely with our colleagues in the country agencies to ensure that there is consistency with the advice given to both industry and the competent authorities who regulate these activities.  

JNCC provide nature conservation advice principally to the following marine industries; oil and gas, marine aggregate dredging, fishing and the renewable energy industry.

In recognition that a number of offshore industries generate noise levels capable of causing injury and disturbance to marine mammals (e.g. seismic surveys, piling of offshore windfarms and explosive use). JNCC has written a series of best practice guidance documents for offshore activities including those for, seismic surveys (available at seismic survey webpage), hammer piling (available at renewable energy webpage) and explosive use (available at explosive use offshore webpage). It is considered that adherence to the measures outlined in the above guidelines constitutes best practice, and it will also minimise the risk of causing injury or disturbance to marine mammals. JNCC have also developed and are co-ordinating a Marine Noise Registry to record low to mid-frequency (10Hz – 10kHz) man-made impulsive noise throughout the UK seas in order to satisfy MSFD commitments.

Refer to the relevant webpages for further information about JNCC’s work and for links to key information sources.