Offshore Industry Advice
JNCC has responsibility for
the provision of nature conservation advice in the offshore area.
'Offshore' is defined as beyond 12 nautical miles (nm) from the
coastline to the extent of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf
(UKCS). Within territorial limits (<12 nm) nature conservation
advice is the responsibility of the relevant country agencies these
being: Natural England (NE),
Countryside Council for
Wales (CCW), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
and the Council for Nature Conservation and the
Countryside (CNCCNI). JNCC work closely with our
colleagues in the country agencies to ensure that there is
consistency with the advice given to both industry and the
competent authorities who regulate these activities.
JNCC provide nature conservation advice
principally to the following marine industries; oil and gas,
marine aggregate dredging, fishing and the renewable
energy industry.
In recognition that a number of offshore
industries generate noise levels capable of causing injury and
disturbance to marine mammals (e.g. seismic surveys, piling of
offshore windfarms and explosive use). JNCC has written a
series of best practice guidance documents for offshore activities
including those for, seismic surveys (available at seismic
survey webpage), hammer piling (available at renewable
energy webpage) and explosive use (available at explosive use
offshore webpage). It is considered that adherence to the
measures outlined in the above guidelines constitutes best
practice, and it will also minimise the risk of causing injury or
disturbance to marine mammals.
Refer to the relevant
webpages for further information about JNCC’s work and for links to
key information sources.