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• Geophysical (including seismic) surveys notification

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Geophysical (including seismic) surveys notification

It is an offence to disturb or injure European protected species (EPS) under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Seismic and other geophysical surveys could be associated with the disturbance or injury of marine EPS primarily though the emission of man-made sound.

We therefore advise operators to carry out a risk assessment to assess the likelihood of an offence being committed. This assessment should not be demanding but should acknowledge that there could be a risk of an effect on EPS and provide an audit trail that the activity has been assessed.

Please see the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), Natural England (NE) and Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) guidance, currently in draft, on 'The protection of marine European protected species from injury and disturbance' for more information and assistance. The final version of this document has yet to be published, but please contact us for a draft copy.

We have developed a voluntary notification form to assist with the provision of this information and to receive feedback with regards to proposed surveys. Collating information on seismic and geophysical survey activities will also help to facilitate the wider monitoring of noisy activities in the marine environment.

Please complete the Voluntary notification of intent to carry out geophysical surveys form (PDF 171 KB) and return it to conservation@marinemanagement.org.uk

We recommend that the form is submitted at least 28 days in advance of survey begins.