*ECS Workshop: New mitigation methods and evolving acoustic exposure guidelines* Malta, March 21st 2015 9am-5pm *Cost: €20* This workshop is offered by the MMOA (Marine Mammal Observer Association) and New Zealand’s Department of Conservation. The purpose of the workshop is to cover changes in technology and recently developed methods, and to look at current methods used in mitigation with a view to improving or enhancing marine mammal mitigation guidelines in New Zealand and elsewhere. The workshop will be structured around two sessions; the first session will concentrate on novel technologies used in mitigation, while the second will discuss mitigation guidelines for seismic surveys and other activities and the roles these new technologies may play in them. Experts will present on a variety of topics including sound measurement, multi-beam, thermal imaging, acoustic deterrents, PAM and the use of streamers for PAM systems, acoustic exposure guidelines and soft start procedures. The workshop will end with a discussion which will consider how these methods may be used to improve mitigation, how they may be implemented and lastly guideline improvements. We recognise that we will not be aware of all emerging technologies and new data on mitigation effectiveness. We therefore welcome the submission of posters on relevant topics for discussion during the breaks and in the free-flowing session at the end of the day. If you wish to present a poster at this workshop, please contact Frances Robertson: frances.c.robertson@gmail.com To register for this workshop please contact either: Andrew Wright: marinebrit@gmail.com Or Patrick Lyne: plyne1@eircom.net The workshop schedule is as follows: *Noise measurement* 09:15 – 09:40: Peter Ward, Kongsberg Maritime Ltd PAM: Methods and Platforms for Underwater Noise Sensing *Multi-beam* 09:40 – 10:05 Paul Jepson, Zoological Society of London Final report of the Independent Scientific Review Panel investigating potential contributing factors to a 2008 mass stranding of melon-headed whales (Peponocephala electra) in Antsohihy, Madagascar 10:05 – 10:30 Gordon Hastie , SMRU, St Andrews University The use of multi-beam in marine mammal research and mitigation; pitfalls and possibilities ------------------------------------------- break 10:30 to 10:50 ------------------------------------- *Thermal Imaging* 10:50 – 11:15 Daniel Zitterbart, Alfred-Wegener Institute Exploring the Thermal limits of Automatic Whale detection *Acoustic deterrents* 11:15 – 11:40 Jonathan Gordon, SMRU, St Andrews University Aversive Sound Mitigation to Reduce the Risk of Damage to Marine Mammals *Passive Acoustic Monitoring* 11:40 – 12:05 Phil Johnston, Seiche Instruments Remote Passive Acoustic Monitoring (RPAM) for Mitigation 12:05 – 12:30 Doug Gillespie, SMRU, St Andrews University Signal processing and analysis: detection, classification, localization and reliability -------------------------------------------- Lunch Break ------------------------------------- 13:30 – 13:55 Matthieu Gouriou, Sercel QuietSea new PAM system. 13:55 – 14:20 Morten Svendsen, Western Geco Whalewatcher: new PAM system *Acoustic Exposure Guidelines* 14:20 – 14:45 Karen Hall, JNCC Analysis of MMO data and soft starts. 14:45 – 15:10 Andrew Wright Effectiveness of current guidelines. ------------------------------------------- break 15:10 to 15:30 ------------------------------------- 15:30 – 17:00 Open discussion on guidelines effectiveness and how they might be improved based on information presented. Frances C. Robertson, PhD *Wildlife Biologist* *Marine Mammal Biologist* Canada (+1) 604 339 4967 USA (+1) 360 420 4403 frances.c.robertson@gmail.com www.distantfin.net