Day 1 – Science Talks

Day one of SIME focused on the latest scientific research into Marine Artificial Structures, highlighting cutting-edge ideas and findings from global studies. The day also saw the introduction of new research themes for INSITE’s third phase and the launch of the Value of Marine Artificial Structures (ValMAS) project.

Welcome by Dickon Howell (INSITE Programme Director / Howell Marine Consulting)

Plenary talk by Katherine Crosman (SINTEF OCEAN)

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Session 1: Social Attitudes to Marine Artificial Structures

Antony Firth (Historic England): The significance and value of historic structures in the marine environment

Richard Stark (StarkCoast 3D): Why man-made structures on the UKCS are not reefs and how to change this

Frances Simmons (Atlantic58): EIA methodology for social attitudes and impacts in islands and rural coastal communities

Session 1: Panel Q&A

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Session 2: Value of Marine Artificial Structures (ValMAS) and INSITE

Nicola Beaumont (Plymouth Marine Laboratory): Introduction to the Value of Marine Artificial Structures (ValMAS) project

Henk van Rein (INSITE Programme Impact Manager / Howell Marine Consulting): Insights into INSITE’s Phase 3

Session 2: Panel Q&A

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Session 3: Long-term effects of contaminants and breakdown materials from Marine Artificial Structures

Sarah Gall (University of Plymouth): INSITE Phase 2: Plastics project Legacy subsea plastics from the oil and gas industry – environmental risks of decommissioning in situ

Christoph Gade (National Decommissioning Centre): Cuttings piles as dynamic geochemical interfaces: rethinking the legacy of offshore drilling in the North Sea

Darren Koppel (Australian Institute for Marine Science) and Tom Cresswell (Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation): Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) and Mercury Risk Framework

Session 3: Panel Q&A

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Session 4: Estimating biomass associated with structures

Debbie Russell (Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews):

SIME 2025 attendee exclusive

Iratxe Menchaca (AZTI): Characterisation of biofouling on antifouling coatings in the marine environment

Joseph Marlow (Scottish Association for Marine Science): INSITE’s Phase 2 – NS3D project updates

Joop Coolen (Wageningen Marine Research): Marine growth sampling tool evaluation

Session 4: Panel Q&A

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Session 5: Monitoring, Evidence and Innovation Surrounding Marine Artificial Structures

Murray Roberts (University of Edinburgh): A role for North Sea rigs in cold-water coral ecosystem resilience and restoration

Mariya Summerfield (WSP): Biodiversity Monitoring of Marine Structures Using Real-Time AI: Innovation, Evidence and Engagement in Action

Kate Dey (GoBe Consultants): Partial removal of marine artificial structures: an ecological success or invasive species disaster?

Jay Butler (WSP): Empowering Communities, increasing biodiversity and growing the economy

Session 5: Panel Q&A

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Day 2 – Policy Talks

On day two of the conference, delegates explored the practical application of INSITE science and examined the policy landscape, drivers, and challenges in offshore energy decommissioning and the energy transition. Discussions focused on how the ecological value of Marine Artificial Structures can be considered for biodiversity conservation, and on identifying the most effective approaches to decommissioning these structures to support the delivery of future policies for the sustainable management of our ocean.

Plenary talk by Stephen Degraer (Institute of Natural Sciences, Belgium)

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Session 6: How can the ecological value of Marine Artificial Structures be considered for biodiversity conservation?

Stephen Duncombe-Smith (JNCC): Offshore Nature Conservation in the UK

Dickon Howell (Howell Marine Consulting, INSITE Programme Director): Delivering nature positive operations offshore

Eline van Onselen (The Rich North Sea): Nature Inclusive Design applications

Lea-Anne Henry (University of Edinburgh): Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs)

Session 6: Panel Q&A

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Session 7: How to decommission Marine Artificial Structures

Nick Edwards (BP): SIME 2025 attendee exclusive

Alastair Bisset (North Sea Transition Authority): Cost-effective decommissioning

Anne-Mette Jørgensen (Eco-Effective Strategies): Offshore Wind Decommissioning

Session 7: Panel Q&A

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