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CONTACT INFORMATION

Location: Gravias 4Α, 15125 – Marousi

Phone.: +302106302000

Fax: +302106302991

E-mail: info@helpe-patraikos.gr

Marine Mammals Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring

Εxperienced Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators were on board the seismic vessel whose primary role was to detect marine mammals and to advise on stopping of the air guns upon detection of marine mammals within the exclusion zone and initiate soft start to give marine mammals enough time to move away from the acoustic source and outside the exclusion zone.

Two expert MMOs (daylight hours) and two dedicated PAM Operators (24-hours) worked onboard the seismic vessel throughout the entire 3D and 2D MSS acquisition activities. Visual monitoring and Passive Acoustic Monitoring were carried out prior to commencement and throughout acquisition activities. The MMO’s conducted visual watches for marine mammals during daylight hours, from sunrise to sunset. Passive Acoustic Monitoring for marine mammals was carried out throughout the entire day to ensure optimal detection probability. Passive acoustic daily monitoring along with Marine Mammal observation were logged and recorded accordingly.

There were six sightings of at least one species, with a total estimate of 16 individuals. No sightings resulted in a start-up delay, but one sighting resulted in a shut-down of a soft-start. Five out of six sightings were observed by MMOs whilst on effort, and one was observed by vessel crew aboard the workboat. All visual sightings recorded throughout the survey are shown in the following table:

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The proposed Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) is designed to:

  • ü protect sensitive elements of the environment and critical biodiversity habitats with particular focus on the marine mammals and sea turtles
  • ü assess the magnitude of protection that the proposed mitigation measures offer
  • ü propose, if necessary, enhanced protection measures
  • ü fulfil the reporting requirements of ACCOBAMS for the country

The EMP includes actions that fall into two categories in terms of time:

  • ü real-time (or near real-time) monitoring required to trigger appropriate action where sound levels approach or exceed defined thresholds (i.e. essential for mitigation)

monitoring of data that do not need to be analyzed in real time, aiming to gather information related to the impacts of the seismic survey on the above mentioned sensitive environmental elements, both before the commencement of activities as well as, during and after them.

In addition, EMP includes actions that fall into two categories in terms of the area that they take place:

  • Vessel Based Monitoring actions which mainly cover active observing of the presence of marine mammals in the restriction zone around the vessel and passive acoustic monitoring;
  • Sensitive Zones Monitoring in the perimeter of the existing sensitive zones which covers mainly the marine areas that is around the existing aquacultures as well as the complex of islands that belong to the SAC and SPA areas.

Passive Acoustic Monitoring