INFRASTRUCTURE

SMRU Consulting has worked across a number of marine infrastructure projects around the world. We provide specialist advise to developers and contractors, contribute to impact assessments and design and implement robust marine mammal monitoring and mitigation programs. 

Some example projects are summarised below:

Port Metro Vancouver – Roberts Bank Terminal 2: We are in the process of several multi-year desktop and field marine mammal studies for the Port Metro Vancouver EIS and follow-up efforts. These include: description of habitat use, behavioural responses, masking and PCoD of Southern Resident Killer whales (SRKWs). We also worked on ambient noise monitoring and other PAM efforts.

• Queensferry Crossing Construction: In partnership with St Andrews Instrumentation Ltd, we provided underwater noise monitoring at the site of the Queensferry Crossing Bridge in the Forth Estuary to protect Atlantic salmon and lamprey who spawn in the estuary. We also provided marine mammal mitigation and site-specific noise monitoring during blasting and pile-driving activities.

• Invergordon Queen’s Dock extension: We delivered a comprehensive cetacean mitigation program including real-time Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) mitigation for harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins and underwater noise levels. This system is the first of its kind, delivering a new level of mitigation capability – during all weather conditions, day or night.

• Wylfa Newydd Site Development: We are advising on design options and suitable marine mammal mitigation options for a port development as well as coordinating monthly visual and PAM surveys to obtain data for baseline characterisation.

For more information on our experience in this sector, please see our blog and publications.