[MARMAM] Development of guidelines for offshore seismic survey operations in Trinidad and Tobago

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Dear colleagues,

Oceanwatch Marine Mammal Observer Services Ltd has been contracted by the
Environmental Management Authority (EMA) of Trinidad and Tobago (in the
Southern Caribbean) to develop guidelines for the reduction of acoustic
disturbance to marine life from offshore seismic survey operations in
Trinidad and Tobago. As these guidelines may have an effect on the marine
mammal populations in Trinidad and Tobago waters (and by extension regional
and global populations) members of the MARMAM mailing list have been
identified as possible stakeholders in this issue and we welcome your input.

It is our aim to develop guidelines which are backed by sound international
scientific research, guided by knowledge of local ecosystems and species,
in line with local laws and which address the social, economic and
environmental concerns related to the conduct of offshore seismic survey
operations.

This project aims to produce:


   1. guidelines for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine life from
   offshore seismic survey operations in Trinidad and Tobago;
   2. recommendations for monitoring and evaluating the effects of offshore
   seismic survey operations in Trinidad and Tobago;
   3. recommendations for future biodiversity and fisheries research to
   inform decisions regarding management and mitigation strategies for
   minimising the acoustic disturbance to marine life from offshore seismic
   survey operations in Trinidad and Tobago;
   4. a review of the effects of offshore seismic surveys on marine
   biodiversity, communities and economics in Trinidad and Tobago;
   5. guidelines for applying for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance
   (CEC) to conduct offshore seismic survey operations in Trinidad and Tobago
   (delineating the structure and information desired in the CEC application);
   6. guidelines for the EMA’s decision-making during the processing of a
   CEC application for offshore seismic survey operations with regard to
   management and mitigation strategies for minimising the acoustic
   disturbance to marine life from offshore seismic survey operations
   (including requesting Environmental Impact Assessments).


You and/or your organization are welcome to submit any concerns,
suggestions and comments to Oceanwatch for consideration during this
process. You can also see a list of the literature we have reviewed (and
intend to review) on the project website (
ttseismicsurveyguide.wix.com/testing). This is a working list and we are
still collecting information for review. If you have any information which
may be relevant to this project and wish to share it please let us know.

We expect to formulate draft versions of the guidelines and recommendations
within the next 2 to 3 months. These will be posted up on the project
website and we will send another email to inform you when they are
available for review.

Feel free to pass this message on to anyone who may be interested and
please direct all communication regarding this project to the project email
address: ttseismicsurveyguidelines at gmail.com.

Best regards,
Alësha Naranjit

*Managing DirectorOceanwatch MMO Services Ltd.*
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