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Westland GeoProjects

Knowledge Transfer Partnership with University of Plymouth


 ‘EAVESDROPPING’ TO HELP SAVE WHALES AND DOLPHINS

“The system we are developing could be described as an eavesdropping mechanism that listens out for sea mammal noises. It will aid the detection of mammals at night, in bad weather and while they are below the surface – a major advance on using human observers”.
Dr Victor Abbott, Lecturer in Hydrographic Surveying, School of Earth, Ocean & Environmental Science, the University of Plymouth

Based in North Cornwall, the WGP Group is taking a lead role in helping to reduce the impact of hydrocarbon exploration on the marine environment, having established a world-wide reputation for providing high quality operational support and management services to the international geophysical and offshore industry. Recent studies have shown that underwater noise such as sonar used by submarines and ships to track activity as well as large explosions by seismic survey vessels in searching for oil and gas may be causing disturbance or damage to whales and dolphins. Disturbance to the hearing of whales and dolphins may disorientate them causing them to lose their way, or alter their dive patterns. This may cause them to ascend rapidly causing massive tissue damage, similar to the ‘bends’ experienced by divers. It may also interfere with prey availability and feeding capacity.

Ross Compton, KTP Associate with Westland GeoProjects

WGP have teamed up with the University of Plymouth on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership to develop a solution to this dilemma in protecting whales and dolphins from this kind of intense man-made underwater noise. With the appointment of Ross Compton, a University of Plymouth postgraduate student in Applied Marine Science, with the support of hydrographic surveyor Dr Victor Abbott from the School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences, Dr Richard Handy, Lecturer in Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology and Dr Lissa Goodwin, Associate Lecturer in Cetacean Biology from the School of Biological Sciences, their research interests are to help develop the next generation Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) device for towing during marine survey operations. The new system can detect whales and dolphins at distance by a series of hydrophones designed specifically for the detection of vocalising marine mammals which communicate using a wide range of clicks, whistles and chirps. Until now most seismic survey vessels carry Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) who are specifically trained to visually spot whales and dolphins in the vicinity, but the problem is that these species spend 80 per cent of their time underwater. WGP, who carry out surveys around the world, are looking to install the new PAM device to their survey ship, the Geolog Dmitri Nalivkin and oil and gas companies are already showing interest in the technology with the hope that these industries will adopt it in the near future.

Ross has also identified further opportunities, successfully developing a new commercial short course at the University of Plymouth for hands-on training for Marine Mammal Observers for the seismic industry. It launched in January in 2007.

To the Company:

• On going development of a next generation of Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) device
• Re-launch of OceanEar Ltd, a company within the WGP Group who are dedicated to minimising the impact of geophysical exploration and data gathering on marine mammals
• Market exposure in an area that confirms the Group’s “green credentials”
• Commercial MMO course successfully delivered in conjunction with the University of Plymouth
• 2 further MMO courses planned for later in the year
• Article in Planet Earth, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) publication focusing on MMO
• Further promotion with an article appearing in The Daily Telegraph, attracting the attention of two local BBC news programmes, and a local radio station and newspaper in Australia
• Marine Mammal Observer’s Pack available and a Geographical Imaging System (GIS) under development
• Promotion of environmental services at international trade shows

To the University:

• High profile media attention with article appearing in the Daily Telegraph
• Academic and KTP Associate being interviewed on BBC Spotlight and elsewhere
• PhD underwayby the KTP Associate – To determine the effectiveness of policies intending to reduce harm to cetaceans from offshore exploration activities
• Syllabus development for a new revenue generating MMO training course
• Development of case study material to support teaching activity, lectures, projects and research into hydrographic surveying and marine biology
• Excellent opportunity for academics to forge links with an industry that is committed to addressing the impact on environmental issues
• Direct contribution to the University’s RAE research activities

To the Associate:

• Registered for PhD which is progressing well
• Developing further skills in assisting academics with teaching and demonstrating on a module
• Attended a number of conferences and trade shows
• Hands on experience of leading a major technical project key to the company’s global competitiveness
• Invaluable introduction to the management challenges of interfacing scientific and technical product development with the commercial and political conditions that exist in a booming oil and gas exploration industry
• Opportunity to develop his own employment opportunity within the WGP Group to carry on after the KTP project finishes.

For further information on Westland GeoProjects, visit www.wgeo.co.uk