As part of Defra’s Marine Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (mNCEA) program, the initiative will evaluate existing monitoring methodologies and identify innovation opportunities and horizon scan to advance evidence-based solutions for marine conservation and management. The project will include a stakeholder survey and a one-day workshop featuring international technology providers, offshore industries, conservation organizations, and academia.
To meet the ambitious goals of the UK Marine Strategy and the 25-Year Environment Plan, robust marine monitoring systems are essential. In 2019, the UK Marine Strategy Good Environmental Status (GES) assessment highlighted the need for improved assessment tools to evaluate marine mammal health and their contribution to GES. This project aims to:
- Evaluate current methodologies and technologies
- Identify innovation opportunities
- Identify gaps in monitoring technologies
Gideon Henderson, Chief Scientific Adviser at Defra, said: “Marine mammals are a key part of global ecosystems; it’s important we continue to improve our understanding of their populations, distributions and health. We are delighted to be working with the IMarEST’s international community to explore the use of a range of exciting new technologies allowing better monitoring of cetacean and seal species.”
“Innovative use of these new approaches will enable us to track the status of marine mammals and help to ensure sustainable management of our seas.”
Chris Goldsworthy, Chief Executive at the IMarEST, said: “We are pleased to be supporting Defra in this critical role in marine mammal monitoring. This partnership with Defra allows us to bring together our international expertise and innovation to tackle the urgent need for enhanced marine mammal monitoring.
“Here at the IMarEST, our Marine Mammal Special Interest Group will draw upon decades of international experience across industries, governments, and academia to coordinate and deliver this project on behalf of Defra—we’re extremely grateful for their valuable contribution.”
The stakeholder survey aims to gather data on the current state of marine mammal monitoring technologies, methodologies, and horizon scan to identify emerging innovations and new technologies—it is now live and can be accessed here:
In addition to the survey, the IMarEST has organized a one-day virtual workshop taking place on 25 February 2025. This event will bring together marine professionals, policymakers, technology developers, and researchers to discuss the future of marine mammal monitoring. The workshop will serve as a platform to share preliminary findings from the survey and horizon-scanning exercises while encouraging dialogue around priority areas for investment and development. To register for the complimentary workshop, visit: https://www.imarest.org/events/event-calendar/imarest-defra-mncea-marine-mammal-monitoring-innovation-stakeholder-workshop.html
