Marine ecology surveys in offshore, coastal estuarine and intertidal environments

Marine Ecology Surveys

Carcinus deliver marine ecology surveys in intertidal, estuarine, coastal and offshore environments. Our surveys are planned and managed to meet our clients’ needs using the latest industry standards, methodologies and best practice. All our surveys are undertaken in accordance with our stringent health and safety protocols and are fully risk assessed.

Each survey is geared towards acquiring data in the most cost-effective manner that will robustly address our clients’ needs. We employ highly experienced professional marine scientists who are trained, qualified and accredited to work in the marine environment. All of our marine scientists have over 10 years’ commercial marine ecology survey experience, working across a broad range of industry sectors including renewables, oil & gas, marine aggregates and coastal developments. To this effect, we can draw upon our experience to design, organise and implement our marine ecology survey services as outlined below.

Sediment sample processing – Our marine ecologists and chemists provide specialist sediment sampling, analysis and reporting services for both sediment chemistry and invertebrate fauna.

Fish and Shellfish Ecology Surveys

Carcinus undertake ecological and commercial fisheries survey and data analysis services. Our specialist fish ecologists and fisheries scientists have a detailed knowledge of fish ecology, fisheries science and the commercial fishing industry. Our marine fish and shellfish ecology services include:

Subtidal Fisheries

Our subtidal fish ecology survey and fisheries science services include:

Static netting (gill and trammel);

Subtidal trawling (beam, otter and pelagic);

Ichthyoplankton sampling;

Scallop dredging and scientific potting surveys;

Commercial fisheries monitoring (catch / landings);

Habitat assessment (herring spawning, sandeel and black bream nesting sites);

Secondary analysis (e.g. gonadosomatic index (GSI), Stomach Content Analysis (SCA) and age determination); and

Data interpretation and reporting.

Deployment of 2m scientific beam trawl for demersal fish and epibenthic fauna sampling

Intertidal Fisheries

Our intertidal fish ecology and fisheries science services include:

Intertidal fisheries sampling (seine, push net and fyke netting);

Secondary analysis – GSI, SCA and aging; and

Data analysis, interpretation and reporting.

Seine netting as part of intertidal fish ecology surveys for a ‘Heritage and Ecosystem Services’ project on behalf of Historic England.

Fish Protection

Carcinus are leading experts in relation to fish protection measures and the assessment of fisheries impacts relating to circulating water systems, including, entrainment and screen impingement studies at water abstraction sites (e.g., cooling water systems and water treatment works), intake and outfall design / location advice and fish recovery and return systems. Our fisheries ecologists have supported major infrastructure projects in sectors ranging from, energy (nuclear and fossil), energy from waste and the water industry.

Benthic Ecology Surveys

Carcinus provides a wide range of subtidal and intertidal benthic and epibenthic ecological surveys for marine and estuary environments. Our experienced benthic ecologists undertake all stages of benthic survey delivery, including regulator consultation to agree survey design, planning, field survey and reporting. 

Survey outputs are designed to meet our clients’ needs, whilst also ensuring they meet regulatory requirements. Outputs typically comprise baseline survey reports and Phase 1 habitat assessments that are used to inform scoping, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Habitat Regulations Appraisals (HRA) or licencing such as Marine Management Organisation (MMO), Natural Resource Wales (NRW) or Marine Scotland marine licence applications.

Subtidal Benthic Ecology Surveys

Our subtidal infauna and epifauna benthic ecology services include: 

Designing of benthic survey methodologies and arrays;

Regulatory agreement of approach;

Drop-down video for subtidal habitats;

Ecological Diver Surveys (HSE Part IV Divers);

Beam trawls for epibenthic fauna;

Substrate sampling using a variety of grabs/cores for infauna, Particle Size Distribution (PSD), contaminant and physico-chemical analysis;

Subtidal biotoping;

Macroinvertebrate sampling and analysis;

Taxonomic identification and enumeration of marine macroinvertebrate infauna utilising an NMBACQ assured laboratory;

The interpretation and reporting of field data using statistical methods; and

The integration of survey results into wider environmental consenting documents such as EIAs and HRAs.

Benthic fauna sampling using a scientific stainless steel Day grab. Samples are later washed over sieves to remove excess sediment whilst retaining fauna for later laboratory identification.

Intertidal Benthic Ecology Surveys

We provide intertidal benthic ecology services for wide variety of coastal and estuarine habitats, including salt marsh, mudflats, seagrass / eelgrass beds, rocky shores and intertidal reef habitats, harbours and estuarine creeks. Our services include:

Benthic survey scope and design;

Regulatory Liaison;

Phase I Habitat surveys;

Intertidal biotoping;

Aerial drone / Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys – habitat mapping, photomosaics, topography, habitat scanning and 3D model creation;

Substrate sampling using a variety of coring techniques for infauna, PSD and sediment chemistry analysis;

Baseline survey reports; and

Integration of results onto consent documents and licence applications.

Intertidal marine ecology survey – Our marine ecologists provide intertidal Phase I and extended Phase I surveys for clients operating in sectors such as ports and harbours, offshore wind and utilities.

Offshore Survey Personnel

Carcinus provides offshore survey personnel to act as survey lead, fisheries observers, client representatives and Marine Mammal Observers (MMO’s) for third party assessments, including offshore geophysical and seismic surveys, geotechnical surveys, piling, cable laying and ecological surveys within UK waters and overseas.

Our offshore survey personnel hold the required health, safety and technical training required to deliver these services in a safe and reliable manner, ensuring the clients’ needs are best represented. All offshore survey staff hold the following industry certifications / qualifications:

• UKOOA Seafarer Medical;
• OPITO approved Further Offshore Emergency Training;
• JNCC Marine Mammal Observer; and
• Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) & Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Gulf of Mexico  – Protected Species Observer (PSO).

More Information

If you would like more information, please read and download our Capability Statements or learn about our recent projects below. Alternatively, you can contact us.

Capability Statements

Marine Benthic Ecology

Marine Benthic Ecology

Marine Fisheries

Marine Fisheries

Aerial Surveys

Aerial Surveys

Recent Projects

East Tipner Environmental Impact Assessment

We were recently contracted to conduct an ecological survey of the intertidal mudflat at East Tipner, Portsmouth. Our client was applying for planning permission to redevelop the brownfield land adjacent to the area, and our survey results have since been used to inform an Environmental Statement in support of the application.

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Southport Marine Lake

Carcinus were recently contracted to complete Marine Ecology Surveys and input to the EIA for a new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport. This survey took the form of a Phase I Habitat Survey, followed by a Secondary Extended Phase I and Fish Ecology survey to characterise the intertidal communities, sediments, and habitats in the area. The surveys were used to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed development, for which Carcinus provided support in the form of scoping and delivery of an Environmental Statement chapter.

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Everton Football Clubs brand new stadium

Everton Football Club’s brand new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock has been shortlisted as a host stadium as part of the UK & Ireland’s bid to host the #UEFAEuro2028 Championships. Carcinus Ltd are proud to have supported the preparation of an Environmental Statement for the project and look forward to seeing the construction of the stadium progress!

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Marine Ecology Survey at Morden Wharf

Carcinus Ltd deliver marine ecology survey and environmental statement for Morden Wharf, Greenwich Peninsula development.

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Environmental Impact Assessment for Bramley Moore Dock

Carcinus Ltd delivers Environmental Statement for the recently approved Everton FCs Bramley Moore Dock Stadium Development.  

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Ecological Survey and Consultancy – Albion Waterside

Carcinus were contracted to undertake a benthic ecology survey and produce an Ecological Impact Assessment for the mudflat at Albion Waterside

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Marine Environmental Survey – Victoria Harbour, Hartlepool

Carcinus was commissioned to design and implement a multidisciplinary marine ecological survey of the approach channel and turning basin of Victoria Harbour, Hartlepool. The purpose of the study was to inform an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with respect to predicted impacts of the proposed dredging and construction operations associated with scheme.

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Benthic Ecology and Sediment Chemistry Survey

Carcinus Limited was commissioned to provide specialist marine ecology survey and reporting services in support of a new vessel lay-by berth within the entrance to the River Medina, East Cowes for the purposes of informing a marine licence application for dredge spoil disposal and an ecological impact assessment. The potential environmental effects originating from the proposed development were identified and screened. The need for a comprehensive sediment sampling programme was identified and delivered, to fully characterise the subtidal benthic ecology and sediment chemistry within and surrounding the proposed development.

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