WE ARE INSITE:

We are an independent science programme examining the effects of man-made structures on the ecology of the North Sea

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The INSITE Programme was launched in 2014, with the aim of providing stakeholders with the independent scientific evidence-base needed to better understand the influence of man-made structures on the ecosystem of the North Sea.

The first INSITE Call for Proposals led to a Phase 1 research programme consisting of nine projects that concluded in 2017. In 2018, Phase 2 of INSITE was developed in partnership with NERC and CEFAS, providing £5 million and £0.6 million, respectively, to fund seven projects starting in 2020. The supporting industry partnership of North Sea asset operators provide site and data access to the research projects, as well as funding £1.9 million programme management, impact delivery, communications and events (SIME).

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INSITES Into - Webinars, Podcasts & Policy Briefings

In 2023, the Programme is sharing insights arising from the most recent research (phase two projects 2019-23) through a series of webinars held throughout the year.

Each of the webinars in this INSITE Webinar Series focuses on six impact themes identified by stakeholders. These are ‘Marine biodiversity’, ‘Environmental Restoration / Net Gain’, ‘Marine monitoring’, ‘Offshore wind deployment’, ‘Commercial fishing’ and ‘Cumulative effects assessment’.

All webinars will be available to join as a livestream and later to view as a recording.

Visit the Impact page for more information

Register for upcoming Webinars

Join us live for INSITES Into Webinars

REGISTER for Upcoming Webinars

Playback past episodes of INSITES Into Webinars

Catch up on past episodes of INSITES Int o Webinars

PLAYBACK past episodes of INSITES Into Webinars

Listen on the move

Listen to INSITES into on the move - available as a podcast

Listen on the move - PODCASTS

INSITE CHALLENGES

Three scientific challenges underpin the ongoing programme of INSITE research, these are:

1

Changes in the ecosystem which occur due to the placement of man-made structures in the marine environment or as a consequence of their removal

2

Comparisons between the ecosystem structure and function on native and nonnative hard substrate

3

Variability in ecosystem structure and function on man-made structures against varying temporal scales

SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE

INSITE research is led by researchers at some of the UK's leading universities and specialist marine science laboratories

Surrounded by a rich and diverse marine habitat, the UK research and academic community has long been recognised for its world leading contributions across all marine science disciplines.

Publications
xxCambridge University

Featured Projects

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Application of novel 3D imaging techniques to quantify biomass associated with North Sea artificial structures (NS3D).

Anthropogenic structures are deployed in marine environments to support industrial activities such as energy production. Sessile marine organisms rapidly colonise these offshore structures, which in turn attract mobile invertebrates, fish and top predators.

Principal Investigator: Dr Thomas Wilding

Organisation: Scottish Association for Marine Science

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EcoSTAR: Ecosystem level importance of Structures as Artificial Reefs

The North Sea is one of the most industrialised marine environments on the planet, with thousands of man-made structures (MMS) including oil and gas platforms, pipelines, subsea cable routes, and marine renewable energy installations. Much of the infrastructure relating to the oil and gas industry has been in place for decades and is coming to the end of its economic life. In contrast, the marine renewable energy industry is expanding with many windfarms planned for construction in the near future.

Principal Investigator: Dr Debbie Russell

Organisation: University of St Andrews

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News

The latest news and updates from INSITE.

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blog

INSITE focuses on North Sea biodiversity for first in webinar series

MINSITE, the independent science programme examining the effects of manmade structures on the ecology of the North Sea, is launching a series of free webinars.

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New podcast furthers the debate on man-made structures in the North Sea

MA new podcast explores the growing interest in and research about man-made structures in the North Sea.

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All at sea with Boaty McBoatface

MThe National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is conducting research with robot submarine Autosub Long Range (ALR), better known as ‘Boaty McBoatface’.

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SIME 2022 in Edinburgh look back

MWe were thrilled to return to Edinburgh for an in person Structures in the Marine Environment conference once again.

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