Tetra Tech designed fish spawning surveys for the Mona Offshore Wind Farm, adopting a highly flexible approach that ensured high-quality, robust data and maintained an impeccable safety record.
Challenge
The Mona Offshore Wind Farm, being developed by JERA Nex bp, wished to understand the potential impact of its development on spawning grounds of cod and herring. These species are sensitive to underwater sound and can therefore be affected during offshore construction. Conducting surveys at sea can be challenging due to rapidly changing weather conditions and the physical hazards of handling diverse catches. Survey design and management must focus on safety, efficiency, robust scientific methodology, and specialist marine ecology expertise.
Solution
Tetra Tech designed surveys to investigate fish spawning activity, undertaking seasonal sampling over a two-year timeline. We managed the vessel charter and survey programme, including all survey efforts, data analysis, and reporting in-house, providing a turn-key solution.
Rather than simply reacting to challenges, our experienced team worked agilely to ensure survey programme continuation. During changing weather windows, our team remained ready to mobilise at short notice and identified alternative solutions to challenges such as closed ports while communicating effectively with partners and clients. They also trialled various glove systems in the field to handle hazardous species without compromising dexterity, identifying the safest, most practical approach to maintaining the accuracy and consistency required to deliver high-quality scientific data.
Benefits
- Demonstrated exemplary safety practices in demanding offshore conditions
- Ensured programme continuation through flexible project management
- Delivered high-quality ecological survey data, enabling informed decision-making and project risk management
- Deployed marine specialists who combine technical rigor with regulatory knowledge
An excellent survey that was well managed and great work in terms of safety.
Dr. Sarah Randall, JERA Nex bp, Marine Biology Lead
