Keeping an eye on the animals
Rikka Jensen Trolle works as an observer of marine mammals and seabirds
- I have an exciting international job. I go along when the oil companies carry out seismic testing of the seabed. I keep an eye out for animals and make sure we don’t hurt them, says 29-year old Rikka Jensen Trolle from Saattut near Uummannaq.
He works in the offshore business as an MMSO – which is short for “marine mammal and seabird observer”. He keeps an eye out for marine mammals to reduce the negative impact of seismic collection and to ensure that safe distances to whales and seals are maintained.
It was by chance that he saw an advertisement for an MMSO vacancy.
- Last year I saw on the settlement’s notice board that Arctic Base Supply was looking for MMSOs. I applied, was given a test and was taken on. Shortly afterwards I was on my way to Aasiaat to take part in the first training course.
- After that I went to Esbjerg to take another course – offshore safety, so now I can call myself an MMSO assistant.
- It was just the right job for me so I decided to take it a step further. I went to England to take courses in MMO (Marine Mammal Observer), PSO (Protected Species Observer) and PAM (Passive Acoustic Monitoring.
- I have been on a PAT course in San Diego, California. PAT stands for Passive Acoustic Technician and the course is about acoustic theory - learning how to interpret the different sounds made by marine mammals.
- I love this job very much, although it is hard to find work in the winter. I hope oil exploration in Greenland gets off the ground because it is enormously exciting to be a part of it all from the beginning and it is very educational.
- In any case, I am ready to go again if anyone should offer me a job, says Rikka Jensen Trolle.