IWDG Consulting were awarded the contract to carry out 6 visual harbour porpoise surveys in the Dublin Bay SAC this Summer. Densities of harbour porpoise in Dublin Bay are among the highest in the country to date. Single platform line transect surveys will be carried out in order to derive local density and abundance and will form part of Ireland’s reporting requirements under the Habitats Directive. The first survey was completed last week in perfect sea conditions which resulted in a high encounter rate for our team. The IWDG Consulting team consisted of Dr. Simon Berrow, Dr. Joanne O’Brien and Clowie Russell.
IWDG Consulting win PGS sesimic survey contract
IWDG Consulting have been awarded a contract to provide two MMO’s for a 3D seismic survey in Irish waters. PGS were selected by Woodside as the seismic contractor for the project which is due to start mid-May, with duration of the works expected to last for 75 days. Consultancy manager for IWDG Consulting; Enda McKeogh said “Our in-depth knowledge of the NPWS guidelines to Manage the Risk to Marine Mammals from Man-made Sound Sources in Irish Waters along with the quality of our experienced consultants will allow us to ensure that the proposed works will have minimal affects on the marine mammal populations in the area.”
IWDG Consulting surveyor onboard Celtic Explorer during mackerel egg survey
One of IWDG Consulting’s surveyors, Darren Craig, is currently onboard the R.V. Celtic Explorer during the mackerel egg survey along 
with William Hunt of UCC – MaREI (Centre for Marine & Renewable Energy, Ireland). They are recording any sightings of marine megafauna encountered throughout the survey, including cetaceans (whales & dolphins), seals, turtles, sharks and other large fish such as sunfish and tuna. You can find out what they have seen so far on the scientists at sea blog:
IWDG Consulting launch
The IWDG have been successfully tendering for consultancy contracts since 2007. We feel we have the expertise and people to provide a good service and all the profit from this consultancy provides essential funds to the IWDG such as the sightings and strandings schemes. The IWDG believe in collaborating with companies, government departments and agencies as well as building capacity and engage with researchers, students and the public. IWDG have been very successful in obtaining funding for consultancy projects but retain an independent voice and are not compromised in our attempts to identify threats and conservation issues. In order to achieve our goals and develop the consultancy we have decided to formally establish IWDG Consulting.
Some of Irelands leading cetacean experts carry out professional services for IWDG Consulting and have access to the most up to date long term stranding and sighting databases as well as access to state of the art equipment. We provide a wide range of services from field based surveys to desk based assessments which can be used to inform Natura Impact, Environmental Impact and Strategic Environmental Assessments as well
as prepare Marine Mammal Risk Assessments. If you have a project which requires our services, you can contact us by email or by phone: consulting@iwdg.ie/0857331251 (Enda)/0868545450 (Simon).