Marine Environmental Services

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process is  essential for understanding the likely significant environmental effects of  your development  and how it may interact with the natural environment around it. EIA regulations require a form of EIA for marine permits or consents globally. These all follow a similar process, and we can support you at every step.

Our Geo-consulting team can map existing data and combine it with Earth observation data. Providing early insights to support your environmental consents team in applying relevant EIA regulations, understanding environmental factors, and scoping which aspects require further assessment. Technical modelling of physical oceanography and detailed survey data directly support your environmental impact assessments. Monitoring of underwater noise, seabed change, marine species, and pollutants can then demonstrate your compliance.

Core services include:

• Site selection, feasibility studies and desktop studies

• Environmental impact assessments 

• Strategic environmental assessments

• Environmental consenting

• Oil spill contingency plans 

Healthy oceans begin with a healthy seabed. We combine geophysical surveys, benthic ecology, marine acoustics, and environmental DNA (eDNA) to yield rich insights into the complexity of marine habitats and the species that live there. Core services include:

• Environmental baseline surveys (EBS)

• Environmental monitoring surveys (EMoS)

• Biodiversity monitoring

• Biotope mapping and habitat assessments

• Marine mammal observations and passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) mitigation

• Fish surveys and fish spawning ground surveys

• Ambient noise monitoring

• Marine mammal noise detection and soundscape analysis

• Construction monitoring

• Sediment, biota and water quality chemistry analysis

• eDNA sampling and analysis

• Marine taxonomic analysis

• Microbiology analysis

• Oil spill forensic services

Sensitive habitats and species

We have provided habitat mapping services for over 25 years. Whether from a crewed or uncrewed vessel, mapping seabed habitats starts with hydrographic mapping. From this, our benthic ecologists highlight critical habitats before taking physical samples and video surveys. Seabed samples are analysed in our benthic ecology labs, eDNA samples are processed for species genetics, video analysis by our competent experts is augmented with machine learning, and everything is brought together to give you critical environmental information on the marine ecosystems you’re responsible for. 

Marine Mammals

In collaboration with leading marine institutions, we have developed a machine-learning-augmented acoustic analysis process capable of identifying the most common marine mammals worldwide. Combined with our metocean capabilities, we can deploy PAM devices to shallow and deep waters. Providing reliable operations and fast analysis to understand the marine mammals living near your site. 

In addition, we provide marine mammal observations, either as part of wider biodiversity monitoring programs or as part of mitigation measures, and we can monitor fish communities using bio-acoustics and eDNA. 

Coastal habitats

Combining remote Earth observation, with aerial surveys, hydrography, and seabed imagery we provide coastal habitat mapping at a scale that has never been seen before. This is why ISPRA trusted us to deliver seagrass mapping along the entire coast of Italy. 

Sediment and Water Quality Characterisation

Our physical oceanographers have been providing detailed modelling for over 30 years based on public and/or site-specific data. This supports offshore engineering design and further environmental impact assessments. Accurate sediment and water quality data is required to validate models.  

Combining relevant expertise in physical oceanography with sedimentology allows us to model how natural processes and development proposals may impact natural environments.  

Underwater Noise

Understanding this potential impact requires a combination of geological expertise, pile drivability, hammer energy estimates, and noise propagation modelling. Our Geo-consultancy combines all of this to provide a more detailed understanding of the environmental impact of  your operations on the marine environment. 

Monitoring the construction and operations of your marine assets is essential for responsible companies and regulatory compliance.

Pre and post-construction benthic monitoring

By combining geophysical data, physical sampling, and video acquisition, we can provide detailed information about marine habitats prior to construction, optimising your delivery schedule. During operations, we can provide ongoing services, integrated with engineering asset inspections, to help your team and regulatory stakeholders understand how the marine environment is responding to your asset's presence. Supporting both ongoing stakeholder relationships and end-of-life decisions.

Underwater noise monitoring

We can provide early insights into actual noise propagation by deploying passive acoustic monitoring stations prior to construction. Using pre-construction geophysical surveys as a sound source, we  refine early stage estimates of noise propagation to deliver greater certainty to your teams. Long-term marine mammal monitoring can provide insights into how mammals use the area, to avoid potential impacts.

Sediment contamination

Accidents do happen but sometimes they’re not your accidents. Our geo-chemical laboratories can analyse trace elements of sediment contaminants and forensically compare them to chemicals used in your operations. Providing your team and regulatory stakeholders information about where contaminants originated.