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News from ECOSA

Bringing you all the latest in ecological matters and news from the ECOSA team, we will keep you updated on relevant events and inform of any legislation changes that may affect your project. You can also keep up with us on the go by following us on LinkedIn!

June 2023

30 June 2023

Hazel Dormouse Footprint Tunnels – Tracking Ecological Progress

ECOSA have recently been using an upcoming methodology to survey for hazel dormouse - footprint tunnels. Read more to find out about this exciting survey and the results ECOSA has obtained.

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May 2023

24 May 2023

The impacts of wind turbines on bats and birds

ECOSA recently looked into the recent research undertaken on the impacts of terrestrial wind turbines on bats and birds. Click on the following link to find out more.

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April 2023

18 April 2023

ECOSA biosecurity systems are in check for the 2023 season

Find out more on how ECOSA is implementing their biosecurity protocols for the upcoming survey season.

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March 2023

28 March 2023

Reaching new heights at ECOSA

Read more to find out about our recent in-house ladder training for bat and barn owl box installations.

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March 2023

09 March 2023

ECOSA Attends University of Southampton Careers Fair

Last week, two of our ecologists attended the University of Southampton Spring Careers Fair to promote what a career in the ecological consultancy sector involves to current students and recent graduates.

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March 2023

01 March 2023

The ECOSA Team are all trained up on The Biodiversity Metric 3.1

The ECOSA team recently underwent a three-day training course to get to grips with the latest version of The Biodiversity Metric 3.1. Click below to find out how it went!

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January 2023

11 January 2023

Phasing out Phase 1; Welcoming in UKHab

Click on the link below for further information on how ECOSA are making the exciting change from using the Phase 1 Habitats Classifiation to the UKHab (UK Habitat) Classification system.

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April 2021

13 April 2021

Badger Surveys, Licensing and Artificial Badger Sett Construction

ECOSA has been providing ongoing ecological survey, assessment and mitigation solution services to a consortium of developers and their planning consultants for a large-scale urban extension project within Hampshire

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April 2021

05 April 2021

Red List for Britain’s Mammals – One quarter of native species at risk of extinction

Last year the first official Red List for British Mammals was produced, highlighting the species most at risk of extinction in the UK. The study showed that of 47 mammals native to Britain, 11 are at imminent risk of extinction and a further 5 species are classified as 'near-threatened'. Read more below.

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January 2021

22 January 2021

ECOSA are recruiting

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October 2020

22 October 2020

Achieving Biodiversity Net Gain on your development site

Biodiversity Net Gain refers to the process in which all new developments must consider the environmental impact of the proposed scheme and ensure that post-development biodiversity is left in a state better than it was before, for example, providing more natural habitat than there was existing prior to development. Biodiversity Net Gain will be mandated for all new developments in England as part of the upcoming Environment Bill.

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March 2020

25 March 2020

District Level Licensing - an alternative to traditional Great Crested Newt licensing and mitigation

With the aim of stemming the decline of great crested newt and streamlining the existing licensing system, Natural England are implementing a new strategic approach known as ‘District Level Licensing’ (DLL). Developers now have the option between the traditional licensing route or to access a district licensing scheme, where available. So, which should you choose?

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March 2020

19 March 2020

ECOSA is open for business - Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

In light of the ongoing pandemic, we have taken steps to ensure that our business continues whilst protecting the health of our clients, staff, their families and communities.

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February 2020

10 February 2020

Natural England launch charges for great crested newt and badger mitigation licences for development

If you are planning a project that will impact on great crested newt or badger, you may now need to budget for additional project costs.

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June 2019

18 June 2019

ECOSA joins the Trinity Consultants family

We are pleased to announce that Ecological Survey & Assessment Limited has joined Trinity Consultants, an international environmental, health, and safety consulting firm.

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June 2019

06 June 2019

ECOSA becomes a CIEEM Registered Practice

ECOSA has become one of the first ecological consultancies to be awarded the new Registered Practice status by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)! Registered Practices are ambassadors in their field, promoting high standards and best practice to make a positive impact on the environment.

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May 2019

16 May 2019

Mandating Biodiversity Net Gain

Following a consultation period between December 2018 and February 2019, the Chancellor announced in his Spring Statement to Parliament on 13th March 2019 that biodiversity net gain will be mandated for all new developments in England as part of the upcoming Environment Bill.

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April 2019

09 April 2019

Natural England introduces charges for European protected species licensing

A new Wildlife Licensing Service has begun operations at Natural England (NEWLS) and is now responsible for the administration and assessment of European protected species (EPS) licence applications. With this comes the phased implementation of statutory charges for licence application services from 1st April 2019.

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July 2018

27 July 2018

Simon Boswell achieves Chartered Ecologist status

We are pleased to announce that Simon Boswell, Principal Ecologist, has been awarded Chartered status by the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).

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November 2017

02 November 2017

Bat Low Impact Class Licence – ECOSA is meeting licensing demand with three Registered Consultants

As well as Company Director and Principal Ecologist Simon Colenutt, ECOSA Principal Ecologists Frances King-Smith and Simon Boswell are now able to register under the Bat Low Impact Class Licence (BLICL).

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August 2017

03 August 2017

ECOSA and Wilkins Kennedy raise over £200 for Naomi House & Jacksplace Hospices for Children

Our accountant Elizabeth Gray of Wilkins Kennedy (complete with minions costume) and her colleagues organised a fantastic ‘minions’ themed bake sale for ECOSA, as part of their efforts to raise as much money as possible for life-limited children.

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June 2017

29 June 2017

ECOSA Director Simon Colenutt presents RTPI Award to the City of London Corporation

ECOSA proudly sponsored the 2017 Royal Town and Planning Institute Award for Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment. We congratulate the winner and all of this year’s finalists.

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March 2017

14 March 2017

ECOSA deliver Ecology CPD talk to Surrey County Council

Surrey County Council building surveyors spent a lunchtime CPD session learning about ecology and the planning process with Principal Ecologist Frances King-Smith.

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March 2017

07 March 2017

New Natural England wildlife licensing policies

The consultation outcome report in to new wildlife licensing policies for European Protected Species has now been published. Adoption of these new policies is intended to smooth the application process for wildlife (protected species) licences for development projects, and provide greater security for protected species populations. The policy has been specifically targeted at great crested newt, although it applies to all European Protected Species including hazel dormouse and all bats species.

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November 2016

10 November 2016

ECOSA are proud sponsors of the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2017

We are honoured to be sponsoring the Excellence in Planning for the Natural Environment category.

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November 2016

08 November 2016

ECOSA welcomes back Frances King-Smith, Principal Ecologist

Frankie is ready to take on new challenges on her return from maternity leave, aiming to become ECOSA’s second Registered Consultant for the Natural England Bat Low Impact Class Licence (BLICL).

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November 2016

08 November 2016

ECOSA meets construction professionals at Constructionline event

Samantha Munslow, Company Manager and Principal Ecologist, talks to construction industry professionals about our specialist surveying and assessment capabilities.

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July 2016

12 July 2016

ECOSA client wins Sussex Heritage Trust Award 2016

MH Architects Ltd and Elberry Properties Ltd take home an Award for their redevelopment scheme at the Grade II Listed former Chichester District Museum, where ECOSA provided all necessary ecological works.

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July 2016

08 July 2016

ECOSA ladies take on Pretty Muddy Race for Life

Laura, Georgie, Jo, Sophie and Lizzie raise just over £400 for Cancer Research UK!

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July 2016

05 July 2016

RTPI Planning Convention 2016 and ECOSA Competition Results

The ECOSA team attended the 2016 RTPI Planning Convention in June. We also reveal the answers to our competition...

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June 2016

28 June 2016

Impact of Brexit on Wildlife Legislation

An update on current wildlife legislation in light of the UK's vote to leave the European Union.

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February 2016

29 February 2016

Updated Bat Survey Guidelines

The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) has now published the third edition of ‘Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines'.

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February 2016

15 February 2016

Avoid costly delays during Great Crested Newt survey season

If there is a waterbody on your site, or within 500m of the site boundary, you may need to consider the impacts of your development on great crested newt as part of your planning application.

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February 2016

10 February 2016

New Ecologist at ECOSA

ECOSA welcome Sophie Lancaster to the team.

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January 2016

18 January 2016

New Ecological Impact Assessment Guidelines

Potential legal, policy, design and implementation implications for developers. 

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May 2015

07 May 2015

Changes to Environmental Impact Assessment thresholds

Government eases requirements for EIAs on developments below 5 hectares.

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May 2015

05 May 2015

Bat Low Impact Class Licence - ECOSA boast one of the first Registered Consultants

Principal Ecologist Simon Colenutt is now accredited for the Bat Low Impact Class Licence (BLICL) offering a fast track for some ECOSA clients affected by just one or two individuals of the more common bat species.

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April 2015

28 April 2015

Bat season is here! Book now to avoid project delays

If you need to provide an assessment for bats with your planning application, the short window of opportunity for appropriate surveys begins now.

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April 2015

27 April 2015

ECOSA team run 40km!

Richard, Laura, Sam and Simon M completed the ABP Southampton 10K - congratulations!

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April 2015

02 April 2015

New S106 rules may affect SPA mitigation for developers

Changes to the CIL Regulations will make some developments inviable by prohibiting larger mitigation projects including significant ecological compensation.

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March 2015

31 March 2015

Local Authorities no longer able to require CSH standards

Under changes to the 2008 Climate Change Act, Local Authorities' ability to stipulate ecological requirements through planning approval are greatly reduced.

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March 2015

30 March 2015

Barn Owl Trust reports an 'Exceptionally Good Year'

Data collated from a number of groups around the country shows 2014 to be a good year for barn owls.

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February 2015

27 February 2015

Make the most of the Great Crested Newt survey season

As the new great crested newt season begins, ECOSA are pleased to announce that they are ready to use new environmental DNA tests to help reduce the cost of some newt assessments.

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February 2015

24 February 2015

The Listed Property Show 2015 - competition answers and a winner!

Could you have got full marks for your UK wildlife knowledge?

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February 2015

16 February 2015

ECOSA advise listed property owners

This weekend members of the ECOSA team attended the Listed Property Show at Olympia to offer home owners and other experts on historic buildings some background on ecology in the planning process and working around bats.

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November 2014

18 November 2014

CPD sessions for our clients

Our senior ecologists have been spending time with some of our clients, delivering bespoke sessions on 'Ecology in Development'. Could our CPD module be useful in your organisation?

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November 2014

11 November 2014

ECOSA to support Médecins sans Frontières and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust

The ECOSA team have voted to support the work of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and Médecins sans Fronti#232;res for the coming year.

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November 2014

10 November 2014

ECOSA passes third ISO 9001 audit with flying colours

We are very pleased to announce zero non-conformances reported following our annual audit.

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October 2014

15 October 2014

Extensive development zone deemed to affect New Forest SPA

Following a study of distances travelled by visitors to New Forest National Park, Test Valley Borough Council have upgraded their mitigation framework to meet legal obligations requiring further development in the area.

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April 2014

07 April 2014

Environmental DNA reducing costs of GCN detection

Tests for amphibian DNA in water are set to reduce the costs of preliminary site assessment for GCN potential.

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March 2014

27 March 2014

Annexed bat licences - a welcome development

ECOSA believe changes made to the EPSM licensing process by NE will be good for our clients.

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March 2014

04 March 2014

New service - climb and inspect tree surveys

ECOSA is now able to survey for bat roosts at height, with potential cost savings for clients.

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March 2014

04 March 2014

Newt season is upon us!

If your upcoming projects have the potential to affect great crested newt, now is the time to plan in the necessary surveys.

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December 2013

19 December 2013

Ecology CPD for Architects

Principal Ecologist, Sam Munslow, convinced architects Pringle Richards Sharratt that well planned ecological solutions need not impact negatively on architectural design.

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December 2013

17 December 2013

We have moved!

Due to recent growth in the company we have moved to new offices. Our address and telephone number have changed.

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September 2013

09 September 2013

Dramatic decline in water vole numbers

The Environment Agency has reported that surveys of water voles across the country have shown a decline of over 20% since 2011.

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August 2013

29 August 2013

Badgers still protected under British Law

Although pilot badger culls have begun, British law stills protects the species and their habitats elsewhere.

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August 2013

02 August 2013

Calls for additional protection from development for grey long-eared bat

In the light of further decline in the UK population of the grey long-eared bat, researchers push for 'priority species status' and more sensitive development within 10 km of roosts.

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July 2013

23 July 2013

Reducing the impact of wind turbines on bats

Following concerns about dead bats found underneath wind turbines in North America and Europe, a report promoted by Bat Conservation International offers new insight into the potential to reduce bat fatalities on wind farms.

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April 2013

15 April 2013

ECOSA achieves ISO 9001 Accreditation

ECOSA is pleased to announce it has been certified as ISO 9001 compliant. Read more

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April 2013

05 April 2013

Congratulations!

ECOSA are proud to announce the birth of Tobias Astman Colenutt.

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March 2013

13 March 2013

Ecobuild 2013 competition results... and the answers

The ECOSA team had a fun time at Ecobuild 2013 advising architects, contractors, planners, self-builders and many more. We reveal the winner of our competition and the answers. Read more

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March 2013

05 March 2013

ECOSA is at Ecobuild 2013

Once again, ECOSA will be at Ecobuild to talk to site developers of every kind about managing their ecological constraints and realising some biodiversity ambitions. Read more

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January 2013

14 January 2013

New year new licences

2013 is off to a great start with three additional protected species licences awarded to team members. Read more

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January 2013

11 January 2013

New Principal Ecologist at ECOSA

The ECOSA team are looking forward to welcoming Sam Munslow among our number as Office Manager and Principal Ecologist. Read more

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October 2012

02 October 2012

Biodiversity Offsetting - a pilot scheme from DEFRA

ECOSA is keen to assist developers and offset providers taking part in pilot Biodiversity Offsetting schemes. Read more about this new opportunity...

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July 2012

02 July 2012

ECOSA supports the Magic Wand Appeal

A bat walk guided by one of ECOSA's bat experts is to be auctioned to raise funds for the Magic Wand Appeal.

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March 2012

27 March 2012

Ecobuild competition winner and answers announced

Congratulations go to Sue Schwartz who will shortly be receiving her prize of vouchers for River Cottage. For those who just wanted to know if they were looking at the skull or a furze-pig or a brock read on.

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March 2012

13 March 2012

Natural England now empowered with civil sanctions

Natural England is now able to impose civil sanctions for infringements of European Protected Species Mitigation (EPSM) licences.

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February 2012

28 February 2012

ECOSA takes wildlife competition to Ecobuild 2012

ECOSA will be exhibiting at Ecobuild 2012, 20th-22nd March. Find us on the Biodiversity Pavilion and try your hand at our competition about UK wildlife for the chance to win a fabulous foody experience at River Cottage.

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February 2012

14 February 2012

ECOSA experts' article on the western barbastelle bat

Recently published in the Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC) Newsletter, Trevor Codlin and Tristan Norton offer advice to help in the detection of the western barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus).

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January 2012

23 January 2012

New guidance on dormouse survey requirements

Natural England have issued a new advice note aimed at reducing the number of inadequate surveys they are receiving with mitigation licence applications.

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December 2011

05 December 2011

ECOSA to exhibit at Ecobuild 2012

ECOSA will be at Ecobuild 2012. Come and discuss your ecology challenges and opportunities with us, in the Biodiversity Pavilion. Read more

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November 2011

01 November 2011

RenewableUK 2011 - Competition winner annnounced!

We are pleased to announce that Jon Mason of Axis has won our very popular competition about UK wildlife. Many thanks to all those who visited us on the stand, both the familiar faces and the new ones. Read more

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October 2011

04 October 2011

ECOSA to challenge attendees at RenewableUK 2011

Visit the ECOSA stand at the RenewableUK conference to meet with our experienced ecologists including Principal Ecologist Simon Colenutt, have a go at our competition and collect your ecological survey and works planning timetable. Read more

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September 2011

13 September 2011

Localism bill threatens new delays to planning consents

The Localism Bill expected to come before the House of Lords this week, has been criticised for its referendum provision by representatives of British commerce, home builders and infrastructure providers.  Read more

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August 2011

22 August 2011

ECOSA launches new website

The ECOSA team are very proud of their new website show-casing their extensive capabilities, some of the solutions delivered for clients, their staff profiles and other useful information for our current and prospective clients.  Read more

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July 2011

20 July 2011

First class honours for Izabel

Some of the ECOSA team took a little time out to congratulate Izabel on her graduation from Portsmouth University with first class honours in Conservation and Wildlife Management.  Read more

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June 2011

21 June 2011

Timsbury Lake officially open for shipping and wildlife

Simon Colenutt was pleased to represent ECOSA at the official opening of the Warsash Maritime Academy's new training facility by Southampton Solent University's Chancellor, The Admiral The Right Honourable Lord West of Spithead.  Read more

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May 2011

10 May 2011

MMO Training

The ECOSA team has received a timely refresh to their cetacean monitoring skills with JNCC Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) training from the experts at Intelligent Ocean, ready for the summer survey season.  Read more

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February 2011

24 February 2011

ECOSA booked for RenewableUK 2011

Come and see us at stand No. 4 for the UK Renewables Conference to be held in Manchester this October.  Read more

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