Speakers
Consenting & Licensing
This presentation consists of two parts. The first part focuses on Maja’s career in the marine mammal field, serving as inspiration for those embarking on their own marine mammal career journey. The second part provides an overview of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) process for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), with a specific emphasis on marine mammal requirements in UK waters. We delve into marine mammal protected areas, particularly Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and explore the specific protections afforded to them under the Habitat Regulations, which ultimately shape the mitigation measures implemented primarily during the construction phase of the project.
Maja has an extensive background in the marine mammal field, spanning nearly 25 years. Her experience encompasses research, industry, consultancy, and government advisory roles. She began her career as a researcher, studying bottlenose dolphins in the Adriatic Sea. Later, she moved to roles as a Marine Mammal Observer (MMO), Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) operator, and MMO trainer. She continued her career in the consultancy field, working primarily for offshore wind, oil and gas, nuclear industries, and scientific institutions. She specialized in marine mammal mitigation, providing guidance on global legislation, research development, and impact assessments. She is currently a Senior Marine Mammal Specialist at Natural England, where she provides expert advice for regulatory casework, consultations, and strategic solutions. Maja is a Chartered Scientist and Chartered Marine Scientist at IMarEST.