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From start to finish and anywhere in between, MMCG can provide all the necessary elements to ensure that all regulatory and permit requirements for the protection of marine wildlife are met.

Marine Wildlife Mitigation Monitoring

From its inception, MMCG’s principals have recognized the importance of fielding reliable mitigation monitors.  All monitors must complete rigorous training and must have all of the necessary certifications to participate in various projects.  All are thoroughly briefed and equipped before going into the field.  All are approved in advance by the regulatory agencies.  MMCG monitors must live up to the demands and rigors of offshore field work and most have considerable sea time.  Since its inception, MMCG has consistently put together experienced, qualified mitigation monitoring teams.  The monitors are well-versed in:

  • Personnel safety;
  • Relevant laws, regulations and permit conditions;
  • Applicable mitigation measures for each project;
  • Working in challenging environments alongside personnel from many fields and various nationalities;
  • Acquainting key project personnel with mitigation requirements;
  • Marine wildlife identification and general marine biology;
  • Accurate data entry and scrupulous data curation and transmittals;
  • Communications;
  • Day and night observations;
  • Observations from air, sea, land, and offshore structures.
Pacific harbor seal under infrared night vision

Environmental Compliance Documents

MMCG can prepare the requisite environmental compliance documents for offshore projects for the protection of marine wildlife.  These are our specialty areas, so we can do this in a timely, cost-effective manner.

  • Environmental Impact Assessments, Statements and Reports;
  • Biological Assessments;
  • Section 7 Consultations;
  • Incidental Harassment Authorization applications;
  • Incidental Take Authorization applications;
  • Annual reports for Letters of Authorization take permits;
  • Applications for programmatic permits for small takes of marine mammals;
  • Protected species research permit reports;
  • Marine wildlife contingency plans;
  • Mitigation plans and reports;
  • Technical reports;
  • Marine wildlife personnel training awareness packets, including videos if required.
Environmental Compliance Documents

Acoustics

Anthropogenic sound in the world’s ocean is a matter of continuing concern to regulatory agencies at all levels, as well as from various environmental groups and the public.  Such sounds include undersea explosives, low- and mid-frequency sonar, geophysical airguns, pile driving and well conductor driving, sonic booms, rocket launch noise, vessel and fleet noise, oil and gas drilling and production noise, small arms and gunnery practice, aircraft noise, wind farms, and much more.  MMCG’s acoustic capabilities include:

  • Preparing acoustic computer models for any underwater or airborne noise source;
  • Analyzing potential impacts of such noise sources in marine wildlife at given ranges, directions and depths from the source;
  • Analyzing potential noise impacts on marine wildlife above the water, such as birds, seals and sea lions;
  • Applying the latest scientific findings accepted by the regulatory agencies to such analyses;
  • If necessary, developing means of attenuating such noise;
  • Developing practical, cost-effective mitigation to minimize chances of adverse impacts;
  • Measuring noise levels in real-time in the field;
  • Utilizing passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to locate underwater marine wildlife;
  • Using acoustic deterrence when indicated and acceptable to regulatory agencies.
Acoustic monitoring

Field Studies

Field studies sometimes are required prior to the start of some projects or during certain ongoing programs.  Such studies may include marine wildlife surveys and censuses, as well as population assessments.  These may include aerial, shipboard or land-based studies.  These can also include studies performed by divers or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).  MMCG can conduct such studies as may be required.

  • Baseline studies;
  • Aerial line transect surveys;
  • Shipboard line transect surveys;
  • Seasonal abundance and distribution studies;
  • Periodic local population censuses;
  • Land-based pinniped and sea otter surveys;
  • Underwater line transect and grid surveys by diver or ROV.
Field Studies