Brown & May Marine

BMM UK can undertake a range of assessments and studies for offshore developers, which can include commercial fisheries, fish and shellfish ecology, benthic ecology environmental impact assessments, comparative assessments, risk assessments and specific issue studies.

A wide range of marine surveys are offered, utilising a variety of sampling and analytical methods for oil and gas, renewable energy and infrastructure clients. The business works closely with national and international regulators and research centres for the design and approval of sampling and sample analysis methodologies. Depending on the survey aims, relevant sampling equipment is used following standardised specifications or, when appropriate, that aligns with commercial fishing techniques. Surveys are designed to fulfil specific projects or regulatory requirements and may include fish characterisation studies, fish spawning surveys, sampling survey using tailor-made dredges and grabs, surveys to evaluate the behaviour and potential physiological effects of activities generating high levels of noise or vibration and surveys to evaluate the behaviour of species in certain environments.

BMM UK provides a wide range of liaison services for offshore developers, including liaising with commercial fisheries, recreational fishing, diving and recreational boating interests. It can assist with planning, implementing and managing all aspects of liaison with stakeholders, the provision and management of onshore and offshore fishing liaison officers and fishing industry representatives and the provision of scout boats and guard boats.

BMM UK has years of experience in liaison management involving, but not limited to, the drafting, implementation and management of fishing liaison strategies and coexistence plans, creating and maintaining up-to-date stakeholder databases, preparing and distributing required notices, information packages and paper and electronic charts to sea users, statutory bodies and regulators and maintaining dialogue with relevant regulators.

The company employs experienced liaison officers working in both onshore and offshore roles, with expertise in a wide range of commercial fishing vessel categories, equipment and operating procedures. It has established long-term working relationships with UK and European national fishermen’s federations for the sourcing of liaison officers and fishing industry representatives.

BMM UK has a portfolio of suitably certified and audited vessels that have undertaken guard vessel and scout boat duties for offshore oil and gas, renewable energy and subsea cable sectors.

Throughout the stages of offshore developments, BMM UK can provide a range of client support services, such as preparation of standard operating procedures, identification, evaluation and management of mitigation strategies, support for negotiation or consultation with statutory bodies and regulators and implementation of fishing gear avoidance or removal in development areas.

Some of BMM UK’s clients include Ørsted, SSE, Scottish Power, RWE, Vattenfall and National Grid.