Offline Website SoftwareThis course is aimed at personnel who will be acting as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) in UK waters. The MMO training course introduces the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) guidelines for geophysical surveys, piling and explosives operations. The course content aims to equip MMOs with all the necessary knowledge to fulfill this role effectively, including the implementation of the JNCC guidelines, the reporting requirements and the identification of marine mammals. Running for more than twenty five years, the course is continually updated to reflect current knowledge and practice. It has been reviewed and accepted by the JNCC.
There is a choice of delivery - remote delivery by Zoom over 1.5 days or a self-navigated online course. Groups may also arrange an in-person classroom course.
Bookings for the next course - remote delivery by Zoom
Registration for online course
Who is the course for?
MMO course content
Course schedule
Times:
9:00am-5:00pm Thursday 27th February
9:00am-1:00pm Friday 28th February
Online assessment at delegate's convenience
(All times UK time - GMT)
Delivery:
Zoom
Cost:
£150
The course is delivered remotely by Zoom over 1.5 days, with live sessions comprising a mix of lectures and exercises - any exercises not completed during the course will need to be completed as homework. The final multiple-choice assessment is done online after the course at delegates’ convenience. You will receive a comprehensive resource pack and each delegate gets individual written feedback on exercises and the assessment. Spaces are limited to maximise opportunity for questions/discussion and involvement in exercises.
You will need:
A laptop/ PC (a phone screen is not suitable for viewing the presentation or completing exercises) with a good, reliable internet connection. You will also need Microsoft Word and/or Excel.
To book a place (subject to availability) please return the registration form to info@carolynbarton.co.uk .
Accessible on:
Desktop PC, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. You will need a compatible browser (see below).
Cost:
£150
The course is self-navigated at your own pace - as a guide it is estimated that it would take 2 full days to complete the course, although you can break it down into shorter sessions over a longer period to suit yourself. The course includes comprehensive downloadable resources for you to keep. There are revision questions at the end of each topic, and a data recording exercise that you will complete and return by email, where you will get feedback and support to ensure you understand the data recording protocols. The final assessment comprises multiple choice and drag-and-drop questions. Support is available throughout the course by email, or if you would like to discuss something face-to-face, a private Zoom session can be arranged.
To register for the course please return the registration form below to info@carolynbarton.co.uk . Once registered you will be sent a Paypal invoice for the course fee. On payment of the fee you will receive a link to access the course (please allow up to 24 hours to receive the link). You will have access to the course for 12 months (this can be extended for a small annual fee; the course is regularly updated so continued enrolment will give you access to the latest information).
You will need:
The course is online and can be viewed on a desktop PC, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. You will need a compatible browser; recommended browsers are the latest versions of the following:
Desktop and laptop computers:
Google Chrome (Windows/ Mac)
Mozilla Firefox (Windows/ Mac)
Microsoft Edge (Windows)
Apple Safari (Mac)
Mobile phones and tablets:
Google Chrome (Android)
Mozilla Firefox (Android)
Apple Safari (iOS)
You will also need Microsoft Excel/Word.
The JNCC-recognised MMO course is a requirement for personnel who will be acting as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) or Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) operators in UK waters (PAM operators will also need to have some form of PAM training), although anyone with an interest in the JNCC guidelines can do the course. There are no prerequisites for attending the MMO course, but delegates with some prior marine mammal experience or other environmental/scientific/seagoing experience are most likely to be successful in obtaining work as an MMO. Delegates with enthusiasm but without a relevant background who wish to work as MMOs should seek to gain some experience after the course; there are many marine mammal projects that welcome volunteers. Those in managerial positions in the offshore industries may benefit from attending the course to learn about the mitigation requirements that may apply to their projects.
The course is presented in English, so delegates should have sufficient understanding of the English language to follow the presentation and complete the practice examples.
Please note that to work as an MMO offshore you will need appropriate offshore survival and medical fitness certificates. See Links for further information on centres that provide these.
The MMO training course follows the syllabus set out below:
Marine mammals and noise - what is a marine mammal, the importance of hearing, vocalisations, functional hearing groups, impulsive vs. continuous noise, potential effects of noise (disturbance, masking, injury, death).
Activities that require mitigation - geophysical surveys (seismic surveys: site, 2D, 3D, 4D, OBC/OBN, VSP; high resolution surveys), piling (offshore wind farm construction, coastal construction), explosives (well abandonment, construction, UXO clearance).
Background to the JNCC guidelines - origin and development of the guidelines, legal protection for cetaceans, seals and other marine megafauna, licensing of activities in UK waters, EPS and wildlife licences.
Detailed examination of requirements of the JNCC guidelines (geophysical, piling, explosive use and UXO clearance) - planning considerations, use of MMOs/ PAM, the mitigation zone, pre-activity searches, delays in operations, soft starts, geophysical survey line change procedures, breaks in operations, airgun testing, undershooting on geophysical surveys, high resolution survey mitigation, post-detonation search (explosives/UXO), use of acoustic deterrent devices, noise abatement, compliance, the role of the MMO/ PAM operator. Delegates will consider example situations and how to deal with these.
JNCC data collection and reporting requirements - the MMO Report, JNCC Marine Mammal Recording Forms, demonstration of the use of the recording forms. Delegates will complete a practice example of the recording forms.
Visual monitoring - choosing an observation position, timing of the search, scanning techniques, visual cues indicating the presence of marine mammals, the influence of weather, visual range estimation, use of binoculars, assessing weather conditions.
Introduction to Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) - overview of PAM, types of PAM systems (towed arrays, static buoys), acoustic range estimation, PAM software (PAMGuard), using PAM for mitigation, reporting PAM data.
Working as an MMO/ PAM operator - certificates needed, working through agencies, lone working/ team working, role of the MMO/ PAM operator, tasks before/ during/ after a project, equipment needed, communication with the crew, professional conduct, health and safety.
Identification of marine mammals - identification guides, features used in identification of pinnipeds, features used in identification of cetaceans, identification features of marine mammal species in UK waters. Delegates will get practice at identifying marine mammals.
Assessment - multiple choice and drag-and-drop format questions. Pass mark 80% (as set by JNCC). If you do not pass first time you will be able to review your answers to see where you need to focus your study before re-sitting the assessment.
Resources - delegates receive a comprehensive digital resource pack covering the content of the course. Post-training support is available.
Online course:
This is a self-navigated course that is available at any time. Once enrolled you will have access to the course for 12 months and can work through it at your own pace whenever it suits you. It is estimated that it would take the equivalent of 2 full days to complete the course.
Remote delivery:
Courses delivered remotely by Zoom are scheduled approximately once a month. Live sessions are presented over 1.5 days, with a final assessment online after the course at delegates’ convenience. Please contact us if you want to be included on a mailing list to be informed of dates of future courses.
Private group courses:
Groups (minimum 3 people) can arrange a private course with remote delivery on dates to suit them. Alternatively, classroom courses for groups can be held at a venue of your choice. Please contact us for group rates and to arrange suitable dates.
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