ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT BARDOLINO DEVELOPMENT

For small scale piling operations where it is not deemed necessary to have a
qualified MMO on board a Fisheries Liaison Officer (FLO) may be a suitable
alternative depending on relevant experience. The project EA will be able to advise
on MMO requirements.
In addition to MMOs, but not instead of, the use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring
(PAM) systems for acoustic detection of cetaceans is encouraged to increase
detection capabilities.
The Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) should adhere to the following Protocol
during piling activities:
1. Look and Listen
Beginning at least 20 minutes before commencement of any use of the hammer, the
dedicated MMO should carefully make a visual check from the optimum vantage
point of the HLV to see if there are any marine mammals within the exclusion zone
(as determined using the output from the noise propagation modelling). The MMO
must have adequate visibility to see the full extent of the exclusion zone.
After the watch for marine mammals have given the all clear to proceed with the
piling operation it is recommended that a ‘soft start’ occurs. This is where the
intensity and/or speed of the piling operation is slowly ramped up until the full piling
intensity is reached. All piling operations should ensure that all ‘soft starts’ occur
during daylight hours when MMOs can carry out the required 30 – 40 minute watch
(20 minimum). Piling can begin in daylight and continue through in to darkness but
piling cannot commence at night as this may be interpreted as ‘deliberate
disturbance’.
2. Delay
If marine mammals are seen within the defined exclusion zone commencement of
the piling operation should be delayed until they have moved away, allowing
adequate time after the last sighting for the animals to move away (at least 20
minutes).
3. The ‘Soft Start’
Ensure that the correct ‘soft start’ procedure is followed. ‘Soft starts’ are intended as
a time period to allow marine mammals to move away from an area should they wish
to do so.
Power should be built up slowly from a low energy start-up (e.g. starting with low
pressure piling) over as long a period as is technically possible (please consult with
the EA on this) to give adequate time for marine mammals to leave the vicinity. This
build up of power should occur in uniform stages to provide a constant increase in
output. There should be a ‘soft start’ every time the hammer is used, even if no
marine mammals have been seen.
Once the ‘soft start’ has commenced it is not required to stop even if marine
mammals are subsequently observed.