Commercial Marine Projects
Black Guillemot
The coasts and seas around the UK support bird and marine mammal populations of international importance, in particular breeding seabirds and seals, and over wintering waders and wildfowl. Natural Research has an expanding team specialising in consultancy work on birds and mammals in the marine environment. The majority of NRP’s marine consultancy work is for the renewable energy sector in connection with offshore wind, tidal and wave power developments. NRP combines expert knowledge, survey data and statistical analyses to provide the highest quality science-based advice geared to achieving the best outcome for clients and wildlife. NRP conduct all aspects of the offshore and coastal work including survey work, sensitivity analyses, statistical modelling and impact assessment.
Current projects include undertaking baseline surveys of seabirds and marine mammals and associated impact assessment for four proposed renewable developments around the Scottish coast: one offshore wind farm and three tidal array developments. NRP has also undertaken estuarine bird surveys in the Firth of Forth in connection with a new biomass power station development (now consented).
NRP routinely undertakes boat-based transect surveys of seabirds and marine mammals over large areas, as has become standard practice for offshore developments. We have the capacity to train and accredit surveyors in the ESAS survey method and considerable experience in the logistics finding of organising suitable survey vessels.
Offshore wind, tide and wave energy technologies are relatively new and the methods used to assess the effects on wildlife are still in their infancy. NRP is actively involved in the design and development of survey and analytical methods that provide the information needed in a cost effective and timely manner. NRP is currently developing guidelines for Scottish Natural Heritage of the bird survey and monitoring requirements to inform tide and wave power developments.
The wide ranging behaviour of seabirds and marine mammals and the ever changing nature of marine sites present special challenges to survey work and its interpretation. Scientific knowledge, policy and legislation concerning the marine environment are also changing constantly. For all these reasons much of NRP’s marine work is undertaken in collaboration with other organisations including other consultancies, Scottish Association for Marine Science, Sea Mammal Research Unit and universities.
For further information about our marine services, please contact: info@natural-research.org
Photo: D. Jackson