Ocean Science Consulting launches new publishing arm alongside major second edition of industry-standard Marine Mammal Observer Handbook
We have launched OSC Publishing House®, our new publishing division, with a 562-page second edition of the Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook.
LIFE AS AN MMO IN SE-ASIA: Part I
Working as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) can be exciting, hard work, but most of all, rewarding. Part of the job description requires travel to far stretches of the globe; however, as many of you know, working during a pandemic has introduced challenges and changes to typical working life. This month, OSC is releasing one […]
New Zealand marine mammals & the code of conduct
The waters around New Zealand are home to a diverse range of marine mammals. Some of the most common cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) include Hector’s dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori hectori) Maui’s dolphins (C. h. maui), killer whales (Orcinus orca), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus), common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), […]
Using reticle binoculars to estimate range
An essential skill for all Marine Mammal Observers is the ability to estimate range to a sighting. Reticle binoculars and range finding sticks are the most common methods used, but it is also possible to use a sextant. Demonstrated here, is everything you need to know about estimating range using reticle binoculars. For information on […]
Grey seal sightings
The majority of sightings by our Marine Mammal Observers in the last few weeks have been Grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), which are a member of the Phocidae family, more commonly known as the true seals. When seen at sea, our Marine Mammal Observers have been recognising these seals by their distinctive long, broad, flat snout, […]
Passive Acoustic Monitoring
Passive Acoustic Monitoring is an important part of the work carried out by OSC Ltd. Currently we have a number of operators working in the field to put mitigation measures in to practice on board seismic vessels. Hydrophones towed behind the vessel are used to detect the sounds of marine mammals; this week our observers […]
February and the start of a busy field season..
After a busy winter in the OSC office, work is really kicking off in the field, I think we have an exciting year ahead of us! Reports of grey seal sightings are filtering into the office from our field supervisor who has been enduring the winter weather as a Marine Mammal Observer since January, but […]
OSC Marine Mammal Observers are still working hard in the field
As the busy summer field season comes to an end, OSC Marine Mammal Observers are still working hard in the field. For more information on our highly qualified Marine Mammal Observers have a look at our website: http://www.marinemammalobserver.com.
Ongoing beta-testing of PAMguard
Last year Ocean Science Consulting agreed to help the PAMguard team (www.pamguard.org) with their ongoing development project to improve the functionality of PAMguard for undertaking small cetacean survey work. The PAMguard team have just built a new installer and have asked us all to try it out in field conditions. Our Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) […]
Season kicks off
Ocean Science Consulting’s field season kicked-off unusually early, with unprecedented demand for services and personnel. Staff were also busy during Christmas and New Year, with projects on sound level and frequency measurement of conductor hammering from exploration drilling rigs, Marine Mammal Observation and Passive Acoustic Monitoring from seismic vessels.