Baseline & Post Installation Surveys

Understanding the pre-existing environmental conditions of a marine site is essential for assessing the effectiveness of any nature-inclusive design (NID) intervention. A baseline survey provides a clear reference point, enabling valid comparisons between pre-installation and post-installation ecological data. By collecting and analysing scientifically robust, site-specific data, these surveys inform long-term monitoring efforts and ensure project success through clear measurable biodiversity improvements.

The Foundation for Measuring Marine Impact

Baseline Surveys: Establishing a Scientific Reference Point (SRP)

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Why Conduct a Baseline Survey?

A baseline survey is essential for defining the environmental conditions of a project site before any intervention takes place. Establishing an accurate ecological status ensures that future changes can be measured effectively and that project goals are based on reliable data. By identifying impact and control areas, baseline surveys determine where environmental changes will occur and establish reference sites for accurate comparisons. This allows for valid, measurable assessments over time, ensuring the success of biodiversity-focused initiatives.

Research Design Plan (RDP)

Baseline surveys are tailored to the specific needs of each project, ensuring that data collection is scientifically rigorous and directly aligned with project objectives. To achieve this, ARC marine’s in-house ecological survey team develops a Research Design Plan (RDP), which outlines key aspects of the monitoring strategy. This involves a selection of impact and control sites to ensure accurate ecological assessments, data collection techniques to capture essential environmental parameters, and finally analysis and reporting frameworks to convert raw data into clear, actionable insights that support ongoing monitoring and ecological evaluations.

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Long-Term Ecological Monitoring

A well-executed baseline survey provides a scientific foundation for long-term monitoring, enabling project teams to track biodiversity enhancements and ecosystem recovery with confidence. It also plays a crucial role in ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting enhanced biodiversity targets and environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements.

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Our baseline surveys provide essential, measurable data that enhances project credibility, reduces uncertainty, and ensures compliance with marine restoration and biodiversity enhancement objectives

Start-to-finish Turn-Key Process

Working closely with our clients, we’re able to assist with each stage of the project, ensuring it’s carried out to the highest standards possible. Rest assured in knowing it will be driven by innovative technology, scientific expertise, and a commitment to sustainability and increasing biodiversity.

Backed by multiple industry awards and accreditations such as B-Corp, ISO 9001, 14001 & 45001 – to ensure this highest standard of delivery.

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Consultation
The first phase is to talk things through and gauge your situation, and which of our products is the best solution for it. We would establish the scale of the requirements, location, application and anything else bespoke that may be required for your project.
Design
We then work closely with our in-house science and engineering teams to create tailored designs based on the deployment location and project goals.

This enables us to deliver a nature-inclusive design to reflect the local marine environment and target the growth of specific species.
Manufacturing
At this stage, we ensure all our products are built as close to the deployment location as possible, using local labour and raw materials where possible.

Further carbon reductions and cost savings occur through manufacturing “in country” and utilising a combination of our globally transportable mobile production plant and using local raw material suppliers.
Permits & Licensing
We will assist with bid writing right from the tender stage & compliance through to conditions, obtaining permits and licensing for deposits onto the seabed with government bodies.

We can even take care of stakeholder management with fisheries, government, community groups and governing boards.
Transport & Logistics
Local deployment at your project location ensures that the entire process supports the local economy and follows industry-standard procedures with industry-standard hardware and vessels for added efficiency. We also have our own portfolio of deployment equipment that has been designed by our team from over 30 years of industry experience
Monitoring
Pre & post-deployment, we can deploy multiple monitoring techniques such as eDNA or ROV’s to assess the effectiveness of our subsea protection and artificial reef products. This allows us to track progress, monitor the development of marine life, compared to the baseline and fine tune our solutions for optimal results.

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