Biological Services

Strategy from Experience

From mountain ranges to ocean canyons

Since 1969, MBC has performed numerous biological studies from nearshore waters to deep ocean basins. Benthic studies have been conducted near sewage outfalls, thermal discharges, nuclear and conventional power plants, oil platforms, artificial reefs, and dredging and construction activities from San Diego to Alaska. MBC scientists have conducted hundreds of studies and monitoring efforts related to marine fishes. Adult fish sampling has been conducted in coastal, harbor, and estuarine habitats using gill nets, otter trawls, beach seines, and purse seines. Study subjects have also included marine mammals, birds, aquatic invertebrates and giant kelp. MBC biologists have provided marine mammal observers (MMOs) for underwater construction projects for the last two decades. These projects have included underwater demolition, construction, and heavy transport.

"Some consultants use the full budget and you wonder whether they did enough work to make it meaningful. MBC is on budget, on time, and you know they did the work they said they would."

What We Do Best:

Our Expertise

  • ‍Larval, juvenile, and adult fishes
  • Invertebrates
  • Dune and terrestrial vegetation
  • Site assessments
  • Aquatic vegetation
  • Birds
  • Marine mammals

Biological Services

Projects

USCG-LA Fast Response Cutter Dock Construction

MBC biologists conducted marine wildlife observations pre-construction and during pile to protect and assure safety of the marine wildlife.

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Nearshore NPDES Studies

In accordance with NPDES permit requirements, MBC conducts ongoing offshore marine monitoring programs for 12 coastal generating stations from San Diego to Ventura Counties.

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San Onofre REMP and NPDES Studies

MBC supports SONGS in the collection, preservation, and shipment of required radiological samples to the California Department of Health Services and to GEL Laboratories in South Carolina.

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Biological Services

Clients

AECOM
AES Alamitos
AES Huntington Beach
AES Redondo Beach
AndersonPenna Partners
Cabrillo Power
CDM Smith
El Segundo Energy Center
El Segundo Power
ERM
ICF
Los Angeles Co. Sanitation Districts
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles Dept. of Water and Power
Merkel and Associates
Michael Baker International
MWH
NRG Mandalay
NRG Ormond Beach
OCMPAC
Orange Co. Sanitation District
Orange County
Port of Los Angeles
Poseidon Water
Psomas
RBF
RECON Environmental
SCE
Sea Surveyor
So. Calif. Coastal Water Research Project
TechComm International
Tetra Tech
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Weston
Wieland-Davco

Biological Services

"Some consultants use the full budget and you wonder whether they did enough work to make it meaningful. MBC is on budget, on time, and you know they did the work they said they would."