Description

MMO Foundation Course 

Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) Foundation Course

This course provides the core theoretical and operational foundation required to become a competent and effective Marine Mammal Observer (MMO) within offshore, coastal, and regulatory environments.

Developed by Scanning Ocean Sectors (SoS), this training reflects decades of applied field experience, regulatory engagement, and operational delivery across global marine industries.

Course Overview

The MMO Foundation Course is designed to build technical understanding, observational accuracy, and professional competency across all core MMO responsibilities.

You will be guided through the biological, acoustic, legal, and operational frameworks that underpin marine mammal mitigation, with a strong emphasis on real-world application.

This course is suitable for:

• New entrants to the MMO field
• Marine scientists seeking operational application
• Environmental professionals transitioning into offshore mitigation roles
• Existing MMOs seeking to strengthen core competency

Important: Enrolment & Certification Requirements

This course is delivered as individual training.

• Each enrolment must be assigned to one named individual learner
• Certification is issued only to the individual who completes the course
• Certification cannot be issued to a company, organisation, or shared account

If a course is purchased by a company or organisation:

• A named student must be assigned at enrolment
• The student must complete the course under their own profile and details

Certificates are non-transferable and cannot be reassigned after course completion.

It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that:

• All personal details are entered correctly
• A valid passport-style photograph is uploaded

Failure to do so may result in delays or reissue fees.

What You Will Learn

This course covers all core MMO competencies, including:

• Introduction to the MMO role
• Anthropogenic sound and its effects on marine mammals
• International and regional law, guidelines, and mitigation frameworks
• Marine mammal physiology and functional biology
• Behavioural responses and interpretation in a mitigation context
• Monitoring methods and offshore observation techniques
• Species identification (visual and contextual)
• Data recording, reporting systems, and regulatory expectations
• Offshore operational requirements and professional conduct

Course Structure

• Approximate study commitment: 4–6 hours per day (depending on experience and language proficiency)
• Total video content: ~5 hours 30 minutes
• Additional reading and resource materials required for full comprehension

The course includes:

• Structured lessons
• Knowledge checks and assessments
• Species identification testing
• Practical application video components

Note: Use of standardised reporting formats (e.g. JNCC Deck Forms) is required during training.

Assessment & Standards

All quizzes and assessments are:

• Automatically graded
• Designed to test full comprehension of material

A 100% pass mark is required to progress.

This standard reflects:

• Industry expectations
• Legal defensibility of MMO data
• The critical nature of real-time mitigation decisions

Key assessment conditions:

• Each attempt overwrites the previous submission
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts may trigger review
• Course progression may be reset if required to ensure competency

We do not provide answers to assessment questions, as this would compromise certification integrity.

Certification

Upon successful completion, you will receive a:

Certificate of Achievement – MMO Foundation Course

To achieve JNCC certification (UKCS), the following additional modules are required:

• JNCC Regional Module
• Pre-Mobilisation Training
• Practical Assessment

Career Pathways

Completion of this course supports progression into:

• Offshore Marine Mammal Observer (MMO)
• Fisheries Observer / MMO
• Environmental Compliance Roles
• Marine Parks & Conservation Roles
• Research & Consultancy
• Marine Wildlife Tourism & Guiding

This course also provides transferable observational, analytical, and reporting skills valued across environmental industries.

Professional Expectation

An effective MMO is not defined solely by knowledge, but by:

• Accuracy and precision in observation
• Professional communication
• Regulatory awareness
• Situational judgement under operational pressure

This course is designed to develop these attributes to a professional standard expected within industry and regulatory environments.

Support

Facilitators are available to assist with:

• Technical content clarification
• Interpretation of material
• Guidance on progression pathways

Final Note

This course is designed to ensure that every certified individual:

• Has personally completed the training
• Has demonstrated full understanding of the material
• Is prepared to operate within real-world MMO responsibilities