Benthic marine macroinvertebrates, such as polychaete worms, crustaceans and starfish, are an intrinsic part of marine ecosystems and important in the identification of biotopes. Environmental Impact Assessments and Appropriate Assessments for developments potentially affecting the marine environment will often require the sampling of macroinvertebrates as part of the description of the existing environment. BEC Consultants staff are experienced in carrying out intertidal and subtidal surveys for macroinvertebrates using intertidal cores and subtidal samplers such as a Day grab or a Van Veen grab deployed from a suitable boat.

Macroinvertebrate species identification is carried out in our dedicated laboratory using standard identification keys and following our in-house Quality Management System.