EXPERTISE

• Geophysics
• Side scan sonar
• Ecological interpretation
• GIS, CODA &OLEX

QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD Geology, “The Distribution of Selected Elements within Mineral Deposits across Gondwana with Geodynamic Implications”, University of Cape Town (1996)
• MSc Geophysics, “A Structural Interpretation of the Witwatersrand Gold Basin using Gravity and Aeromagnetic Data”, University of The Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (1987)
• BSc (Hons) Geophysics, University of the Witwatersrand (1984)

Wendy Wilsher, a specialist geophysicist at Marine Ecological Surveys Limited (part of Gardline), has several years experience in the fields of Sidescan Sonar image interpretation and idenitication of designated habitats and features. She is working in a Research and Development role with Sidescan Sonar data for MES in conjunction with their marine ecology analysis to provide an even fuller analysis for MES clients and on-going research projects. This involves the identification of biogenic reefs from the seabed imagery which she then ranslates to mapping of these habitats. This process has been carried out on a number of projects at MES by Wendy including the current East Anglia Offshore Wind Farm, various aggregates clients and offshore wind farm assessments.

KEY EXPERIENCE

• Use of CODA, Olex and ArcGIS software for analysis and processing of Sidescan Sonar imagery collected of the seafloor
• Identification of broadscale and finer bedforms, substrate type, biogenic reefs, as well as manmade structures including ship wrecks, pipelines, cables, wellheads
• Interpretation of seabed anomaly patterns to inform sites of potential biogenic reefs including Sabellaria spinulosa aggregations and Modiolus modiolus mussel beds for example
• Extraction of Sidescan imagery and incorporation into GIS formats to inform survey sampling design and reporting
• Completion of biogenic reef assessments for 1000’s km of survey lines, assessing imagery for a number of aggregate licensing area assessments in the North Sea; as well as large scale regional assessments such as the East Anglian Offshore Windfarm and Regional Environmental Characterisations
• Expert in use of ArcGIS in course of career, evolved though initial PhD project using GIS in its infancy, including data manipulation, database design, and interrogation
• Survey experience, e.g. collecting dredged geological samples off the ocean floor as well as recording position and bathymetry, south of South Africa, role as Laboratory assistant

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Shumann, G., Trigg, M., Sefton-Nash, E., Bates, P., Wilsher, W., Seiderer, L.J., Pearce, B. 2010, Automated mapping of marine habitats from marine sonar. Funded by the Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainable Fund (MALSF), Project No MEPF 09/P107.