Maintain a strong evidence base: We have developed and maintain a strong evidence base to underpin our advice, which includes guidelines, databases and tools, which are regularly revised based on best-available evidence.
The offshore marine environment extends from the edge of territorial waters to the UK Continental Shelf. This area continues to see extensive growth in offshore industry activity, which can have impacts, both individually and cumulatively, on marine biodiversity, ecosystems and services.
We have responsibility for the provision of nature conservation advice in the offshore area, to support management of activities to ensure the overall sustainability of use of the marine environment. Our experts have extensive knowledge of offshore biodiversity, including seabirds, marine mammals, and seabed ecology, and a thorough understanding of evidence sources and emerging research, which ensures our advice is based on the best-available scientific evidence.
We advise on the impacts of offshore industries, including oil and gas, marine aggregate extraction, renewable energy, cable laying, and Ministry of Defence military activities, as well as fisheries and other human activities, on the marine environment.
Find out more about our offshore industry advice, fisheries advice, and our discretionary advice service.
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Provide strategic advice and recommendations: We work across government, industry and wider stakeholders in order to identify and improve our collective understanding of impacts of offshore industries in the marine environment, and facilitate strategic advice to inform decision-making and policy.
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Provide case-specific advice: We provide quality-assured statutory and non-statutory advice to public authorities on the regulation of offshore industry activities, as well as advice to offshore developers, environmental consultants and other interested stakeholders. Our work includes the provision of offshore industry advice, including a discretionary advice service.
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