In recent years, increasing awareness of the effects of ocean noise on marine life has generated media attention and spurred scientific research. The U.S. Navy has long been a world leader in marine species research. Since 2010, HDR has assisted the Navy with its dual responsibilities of military readiness and environmental stewardship as prime contractor on the Marine Species Monitoring contract with Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic.

The MSM contract is a key component of the Navy’s fleet-funded MSM program, which has funded ground-breaking studies of the effects of anthropogenic noise on marine species using cutting-edge data collection and analysis techniques. Likewise, the program funds important studies of the distribution and abundance of marine mammals and other protected species in data-poor regions, in support of environmental impact assessments.

HDR partners with the Navy to collect meaningful data in a scientific question-based framework, and disseminate this information to the broader scientific community. We provide comprehensive marine resource monitoring and management services in Navy range complexes worldwide, including in the Atlantic, the Mariana Islands, Hawaii, southern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic Ocean. Our work includes:

• Aerial, shipboard and underwater autonomous vehicle surveys
• Passive acoustic monitoring
• Tagging, biopsy sampling and photo identification
• Behavioral studies assessments to determine acoustic and other anthropogenic impacts
• Integrated data analysis, management and synthesis
• Ocean planning and geographical information systems support
• Permit applications and technical report preparation