NZ-DOC-Approved MMO & PAM training courses

Ocean Science Consulting NZ (Asia-Pacific) Limited (OSC-NZ) offers New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC)-accredited training courses for Marine Mammal Observers (MMO) and Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Observers. MMO, and PAM Operators are trained to follow the most up to date guidelines and codes of practice to minimise the risk of injury and disturbance to marine mammals from piling, geophysical surveys, and explosives. DOC-accreditation is consistent with standards in the ‘2013 code of conduct for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals from seismic survey operations’ (the Code). The knowledge, skills and experience derived from the PAM element of the DOC-approved course is also applicable worldwide, rendering trained PAM course graduates the ability to work as PAM Operators internationally.

A Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) visually monitoring offshore.
The Code is regarded widely as international best practice, particularly concerning the establishment of observer training and performance standards. There is a current shortage of trained MMO and PAM Operators for New Zealand waters, so successful graduates will therefore have a significant commercial advantage. OSC-NZ offers a comprehensive and intensive training course meeting DOC’s requirement. Section 3.4 of the 2013 Code of Conduct for Minimising Acoustic Disturbance to Marine Mammals from Seismic Survey Operations states you need to demonstrate the following to work in New Zealand waters as a trained observer (either MMO or PAM):
  1. “Successfully completed the respective marine mammal observation course or PAM Operator course recognised by the Director-General as being consistent with DOC standards, or
  2. Demonstrated all required competencies through an assessment process recognised by the Director-General as being consistent with DOC standards.”

A person will become a qualified observer after additionally logging a minimum of 12 weeks relevant sea-time on seismic survey operations in New Zealand waters.

OSC-NZ’s DOC-approved MMO course includes lectures, discussion, and practical elements in an intensive one-day training course. OSC’s DOC-approved 7-day MMO & PAM course involves responsive personal (including one-to-one) tuition throughout, hands-on experience with state-of-the-art PAM equipment during classroom theory and practical sessions, and field practice aboard a survey vessel at sea.

Our course instructors are highly experienced and degree-level qualified scientists, practiced MMOs and PAM Operators. OSC-NZ’s ‘Marine Mammal Observer and Passive Acoustic Monitoring Handbook’ forms the manual for the course.

OSC-NZ’s knowledge and expertise is second-to-none, so these courses are the obvious choices for anyone wishing to train and prepare as a competent MMO or PAM Operator.

A PAM set up offshore showing use of the visual software, PAMGuard.

Examination

Please note that this is not simply an ‘attend-and-pass course’. In accordance with DOC’s requirements, successful candidates must achieve ‘results of 75% and above’, although we will provide further reassessment procedures for those initially scoring less than 75%. In addition, These high pass marks are a key selling point for successful candidates; furthermore, for candidates who preform exceptionally, OSC-NZ may have opportunities for employment and/or scientific research.

Course details


OSC-NZ’s training courses are run periodically, so contact us to find out the next dates or be added to our mailing list.
All candidates must have their own equipment, including reticle binoculars (i.e. lens stencilled with measurements for range estimation), handheld GPS, and marine mammal ID guide, a laptop pre-loaded with NZ data forms, software required for their GPS, and PAMGuard.

Future courses

Potential candidates and/or firms unable to attend/send delegates to the courses are welcome to suggest alternative venues and dates anywhere in the world, which will be organised if sufficient interest is generated. Please contact us if you require this.

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