Marine Mammal Monitoring & Mitigation

Protected Species Observer Program Management & Training

Owl Ridge provides PSO program management and training. The PSOs are trained and equipped to monitor from vessels, aircraft, stationary drill rigs, and shorelines. Our PSO staff conduct marine mammal and seabird surveys and monitoring from offshore vessels for various marine operations to meet obligations under Marine Mammal Monitoring and Mitigation Plans (4MPs).

Our staff have monitored marine mammal activity associated with pile-driving during ferry terminal and bridge construction, conductor pipe driving, offshore oil and gas drilling, offshore seismic data acquisition surveys, barging and drill rig towing, offshore fiber optic cable-lay operations, sheet-pile driving during construction of an offshore wind farm, and pipeline construction with offshore ports.

Owl Ridge PSOs have also conducted systematic surveys for sea otters and Steller’s eiders in Cook Inlet, monitored for marine mammals and marbled murrelets in Puget Sound, and served as polar bear guards/monitors during Alaska winter operations.