The purpose of the EIA is to document the activities that are to occur on a cruise, and to summarise any potential environmental impacts of the activities. Depending on the activity and location of a specific project, either a standard or enhanced approach to the EIA will be required.
For projects requiring standard approach EIAs, the EIA and MEMP will be prepared as part of the cruise planning cycle. Little to no input from principle scientists should be required for these, unless information provided in the EIA questionnaire needs clarification.
For projects requiring enhanced approach EIAs, the EIA and MEMP will be prepared as part of the cruise planning cycle. However, enhanced EIAs could include modelling or quantification of the potential impacts, and as such principle scientists may be required to provide additional information such as equipment specifications.
The following table, taken from the MEIP, describes the circumstances under which either a Standard or Enhanced approach may be necessary.
| Region | Sensitivity to Impact | Activity | Mode of Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marine Protected Area | High | Sub-seabed Imaging | Enhanced |
| Special Area of Conservation | Seabed Imaging | Enhanced | |
| Marine Conservation Zone | Seabed Sampling | Enhanced | |
| Seabed Instrumentation and Moorings | Enhanced | ||
| Water-Column Imaging | Enhanced | ||
| Water-Column Sampling | Enhanced | ||
| Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vehicles | Enhanced | ||
| High Latitude | Medium-High | Sub-seabed Imaging | Enhanced |
| Defined as: | Seabed Imaging | Standard | |
| 1. > 66.67 N | Seabed Sampling | Enhanced | |
| 2. > 60 S | Seabed Instrumentation and Moorings | Enhanced | |
| Water-Column Imaging | Standard | ||
| Water-Column Sampling | Standard | ||
| Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vehicles | Enhanced | ||
| Continental Shelf and Slope | Medium | Sub-seabed Imaging | Enhanced |
| Seabed Imaging | Standard | ||
| Seabed Sampling | Enhanced | ||
| Seabed Instrumentation and Moorings | Enhanced | ||
| Water-Column Imaging | Standard | ||
| Water-Column Sampling | Standard | ||
| Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vehicles | Standard | ||
| Ocean | Low | Sub-seabed Imaging | Enhanced |
| Seabed Imaging | Standard | ||
| Seabed Sampling | Enhanced | ||
| Seabed Instrumentation and Moorings | Standard | ||
| Water-Column Imaging | Standard | ||
| Water-Column Sampling | Standard | ||
| Autonomous and Remotely Operated Vehicles | Standard |