Carolyn has a PhD in marine biology and specialises in marine mammals and seabirds. She is an experienced MMO, and for almost 30 years has combined MMO training with consultancy work related to marine mammal mitigation.
MMO/ PSO training courses:
In 1996, at the request of the offshore oil and gas industry, Carolyn provided the first ever training course for MMOs in UK waters. Intended as a one-off course, its success was such that demand grew. In 2003, when mitigation measures were introduced in the US Gulf of Mexico, Carolyn was accepted to train PSOs for work there. To date Carolyn has provided training courses on over 450 occasions to a variety of clients and has trained over 3,000 MMOs and over 800 PSOs worldwide, including training for high-profile projects such as the Queensferry Crossing, the V&A Museum Dundee, Aberdeen Harbour Expansion Project and the salvage of the Costa Concordia.
MMO work:
Whilst working for JNCC in the mid 1990s, Carolyn championed the need for dedicated MMOs to provide effective protection for marine mammals during marine seismic surveys. She became the first dedicated MMO in UK waters and has worked extensively on seismic surveys, drilling, dredging, pile-driving and sonar operations.
Guidelines and data recording protocols:
Carolyn has twice been responsible for revising the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) guidelines for seismic surveys and continues to make regular recommendations for revisions based on studies of their operation; she has a thorough knowledge of the guidelines and the reasons behind their requirements. She has also had an input towards the development of mitigation measures in several other countries. Carolyn has designed the JNCC Marine Mammal Recording Forms.
MMO data:
Under contract to JNCC Carolyn created the JNCC databases of MMO records from UK offshore operations, undertaking all quality assurance and data entry over a 25-year period. She has analysed these data to examine the effects of the activities on marine mammals and compliance with JNCC guidelines, publishing the results. The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers Joint Industry Programme on Sound and Marine Life awarded Carolyn a contract to examine the potential utility and collation of MMO data globally.
Other work:
Carolyn’s experience is recognised worldwide and she is often called on to provide advice on MMO-related matters. She has been on the executive committee of the MMO Association since 2007 and is currently Vice Chair. Prior to becoming an MMO she spent five years undertaking offshore surveys of seabirds and marine mammals for JNCC's Seabirds at Sea Team.
Academic qualifications:
B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. in marine biology, + teaching qualification (PGCE).
Publications:
See Publications for a list of published papers and reports.
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