Explosive use offshore

The use of explosives in the marine environment ranges from inshore activities such as harbour construction to offshore operations such as well-head or platform decommissioning, and includes research, commercial and military activities, all of which have the potential to impact upon marine mammals. 

The Habitat Regulations (HR) for England and Wales (as amended in 2007 and 2009) and the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 2007 (OMR, as amended in 2009) make it an offence to kill, injure or disturb marine European protected species (e.g. all cetaceans), and it has been recognised that sound generated from explosive use has the potential to cause injury or death to marine mammals.