for a changing ocean
Sea Science is an independent marine science consultancy directed by Dr Kirsten Young, Senior Lecturer in Ecology at the University of Exeter. We provide specialist marine research, scientific consultancy and independent advice — with particular expertise in cetacean ecology, deep-diving whales, passive acoustic monitoring, genetics, eDNA and population ecology, grounded in over a decade of expedition-based fieldwork and international policy engagement.
Sea Science provides independent scientific research, consultancy and advice — helping research institutions, conservation organisations, government agencies, NGOs and marine-sector partners understand marine ecosystems, monitor change, and make evidence-based conservation and management decisions.
What we do
We combine field-based research, advanced analytical approaches and ecological expertise to answer complex questions about marine life and the changing ocean.
Our marine science consultancy services can support individual research questions, specialist technical requirements and the development of complete marine research and monitoring programmes. Ethical, collaborative practice underpins everything we do. We work closely with local partners from the outset to ensure the right questions are being asked, not just the right methods applied to answer them.
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Research and specialist advice on the ecology, distribution and population dynamics of marine vertebrates, with particular expertise in cetaceans and deep-diving species such as sperm whales and beaked whales.
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Design, deployment, analysis and interpretation of passive acoustic monitoring programmes, using cutting-edge tools and expertise to detect and study vocal marine species and investigate cetacean presence, distribution and behaviour.
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Genetic and environmental DNA approaches for detecting species, investigating populations and developing new tools for marine monitoring.
These molecular approaches can provide an additional stream of evidence alongside established ecological survey methods, supporting species detection, population research, biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
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Integrated visual and acoustic surveys designed around robust scientific questions and delivered in challenging marine environments — including Antarctic, Arctic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean expeditions.
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Analysis and interpretation of ecological, acoustic and genetic data to reveal patterns in species distribution, behaviour and population structure.
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Independent scientific review, evidence synthesis and technical advice for conservation, policy, research and marine management — including advice previously provided to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, the International Whaling Commission, the Centre of International Environmental Law, non-governmental organisations and intergovernmental organisations.
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Sea Science designs tailored field and residential marine science education for ages 16 and over — schools, colleges and universities — drawing on Dr Young’s university teaching experience to deliver hands-on survey, acoustic monitoring and spatial mapping training rooted in real research practice.
Our approach
Strong marine science starts with the right question and the right people. Local stakeholders are central to Sea Science’s approach, ensuring that every research question is shaped collaboratively and genuinely aligned to the place it concerns, not imposed on it from outside.
Sea Science brings together complementary methods — from field observations and passive acoustics to genetics, eDNA and ecological analysis — to build robust evidence about marine ecosystems.
As an independent marine science consultancy, we are not tied to a single technique. We start with the scientific question and develop the combination of methods and analysis needed to answer it.
This approach is grounded in the field: since 2014, Dr Young has served as lead scientist on Greenpeace Research Laboratories expeditions spanning the Antarctic, Arctic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, translating complex scientific information into clear evidence that can inform decisions.
Our expertise
Sea Science brings together complementary approaches to understand marine vertebrates and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Our specialist expertise can be commissioned individually or combined to develop integrated marine research, survey and monitoring programmes.
Cetacean ecology
Research into the distribution, ecology, behaviour and population dynamics of whales and dolphins, including deep-diving species such as sperm whales and beaked whales.
Sea Science provides specialist cetacean research and scientific advice for organisations requiring expertise in marine mammal ecology, distribution and population dynamics.
Passive acoustic monitoring
From survey design and deployment to acoustic detection, classification and interpretation, we use cutting-edge tools and expertise to investigate the presence, distribution and behaviour of cetaceans and other vocal marine species.
Our passive acoustic monitoring expertise spans programme design, field deployment, acoustic detection and analysis, through to scientific interpretation of the resulting data.
Environmental DNA
eDNA offers new opportunities to detect marine species and monitor biodiversity.
We investigate how environmental DNA can complement traditional marine vertebrate surveys, providing an additional stream of data for species detection, biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
Genetics and genomics
Genetic approaches can reveal population structure, connectivity and diversity, providing insights that are difficult to obtain from observations alone.
Population and conservation genomics can be combined with field observations and other ecological evidence to build a more complete understanding of marine populations.
Visual and acoustic surveys
Combining visual observations with acoustic detections can provide a more complete picture of marine mammal occurrence, particularly in remote and deep-water habitats.
Sea Science designs integrated visual and acoustic surveys around clearly defined scientific questions, combining complementary methods where they can strengthen the evidence collected.
Marine conservation and policy advice
We translate ecological evidence into practical information to support conservation planning, management and policy — including formal submissions to bodies such as the International Whaling Commission and the International Maritime Organization.
This includes independent scientific review, evidence synthesis, technical advice and the interpretation of marine research for organisations making conservation, management and policy decisions.
Deep-diving whales
Understanding the ecology and distribution of deep-diving cetaceans — including sperm and beaked whales — in remote ocean environments using integrated visual, genetic and acoustic approaches.
Deep-diving cetacean research is a particular specialism of Sea Science, bringing together passive acoustics, visual observation, genetics and other ecological approaches to investigate species that are inherently difficult to observe.
Research
& projects
Our work spans remote ocean environments, deep-diving cetaceans and emerging approaches to marine monitoring —including surveys across the Clarion Clipperton Zone, the Saya de Malha Bank, the Hellenic Trench, the Norwegian Sea and the Sargasso Sea.
Explore selected projects to see how Sea Science combines field research, technology and ecological expertise to address real-world marine questions.
Deep-diving whale ecology | Passive acoustic monitoring | Environmental DNA | Integrated visual–acoustic surveys | Marine conservation & scientific evidence