ANNOUNCEMENT The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) is a membership based association with the aim of bringing together and representing individuals who work commercially and professionally as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Operators who implement mitigation measures to protect marine life during industry operations. The MMOA also provides information to other individuals that have an interest in MMO issues. The MMOA is pleased to announce the launch of a new website http://www.mmo-association.org The MMOA wishes to invite professional MMOs and PAM operators to sign up as full members of the Association. The MMOA also wishes to invite other interested individuals who may have an interest in MMO issues or MMOs who, at present, do not qualify for full membership to sign up as Associate Members. Details of Full and Associate Memberships are outlined below. To sign up to the Association please go to www.mmo-association.org and then click on the “Sign Up” button at the top of the Home Page. FULL MEMBERSHIP (£70 per year) Individuals with a demonstrated level of experience, skills and qualifications to enable them to work in a mitigation role as MMOs or PAM Operators are invited to exchange knowledge and contribute their considered thoughts and concerns as Full Members. Full Members are expected to be able to: • Provide evidence of having worked as a professional MMO and/or PAM Operator implementing mitigation measures during industry operations on at least two occasions in the last five years. • Provide evidence of any completed MMO and/or PAM training. • Provide evidence of recent personal development in marine mammal identification and behaviour whether this was during other employment (i.e. during fisheries work) or outside of any professional commitments (e.g. voluntary surveys / guiding, holidays whale-watching, organising boat trips to see marine mammals etc.). Alternatively, persons without other experience but who have worked for 20 weeks or more in a mitigation role as an MMO and /or PAM operator will qualify as having relevant experience. • Adhere to the MMOA's Code of Professional Conduct. • Pay a subscription fee, on acceptance. The main benefits to Full Members will be: • The opportunity to share your knowledge and experience. • Opportunity to influence the future development of the profession. • The benefit of a professional code of conduct. • Access to the MMO Forum resources and Information Directory. • Recognition as a serious-minded MMO and listed in the online Membership Directory. • Full voting rights on the direction of MMOA. Acceptance as a Full Member will allow access to a personal profile page. Here members can create their MMO Association Curriculum Vitae using the online template. This can be saved as a pdf file or printed by each member. On the personal profile page members will also have access to the MMO Forum and the Information Directory. ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP (£30 per year) Other interested parties (such as students, prospective MMOs or PAM Operators, newly qualified MMOs or PAM Operators, company employees with an interest in MMO issues, etc.) are invited to join as Associate Members. The main benefits to the Associate Members will be: • Input to the Association's aims and objectives. • Access to the Information Directory. • Invitation to comment on MMO issues. Acceptance as an Associate Member will allow access to a personal profile page. Here members will have access to the Information Directory and also be able to make comments regarding MMO issues. Associate Members will not be eligible to stand for the MMOA Committee, nor are voting rights conferred. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP We would also welcome corporate sponsorship to help us achieve the aims and objectives of the MMOA. Corporate sponsors will have their company logo displayed on our website. If you are interested in sponsorship please email the MMOA at info@mmo-association.org We welcome your applications. Please email info@mmo-association.org if you have any problems during the sign up process. Regards The MMOA Steering Committee Alison Gill, Simon Mustoe, Carolyn Barton, Caroline Weir and Juliet Shrimpton The Marine Mammal Observer Association (MMOA) Suite 36 88-90 Hatton Gardens London EC1N 8PN UK Email: info@mmo-association.org