Oceanica was established as a private Australian company in July 2000. We initially traded as DAL Science & Engineering (DALSE) until June 2004. DALSE was in turn created by the transfer of staff and clients from D.A. Lord & Associates (established 1988) when the founder, Dr Des Lord, took up an academic posting at the University of Western Australia. On 1 January 2013, Oceanica became a part of the BMT Group Ltd (BMT).

All of our professional personnel have high-level academic qualifications and wide experience in marine, coastal and estuarine environments. We provide expertise in the following general practise areas:

• State and Federal approvals;
• coastal infrastructure;
• marine discharges;
• dredging;
• coastal setback & protection;
• marine resources;
• policy, advice & education;
• aquaculture; and
• natural resource management.

Ensuring the safe collection of environmental samples and measurements is also a key aspect of Oceanica’s services, and is undertaken with rigorous attention to health and safety. Oceanica’s fieldwork is supported by our comprehensive suite of field equipment and all our diving is undertaken to a minimum of Australian Standard AS/NZS 2299.1:2007. Our divers are trained to a minimum of ADAS Part 1 (AS2815.1) under the supervision of trained onshore supervisors (AS2815.5), with the additional capacity to provide divers trained to ADAS Part 2 (AS2815.2).

To ensure a safe, efficient and auditable approach to project execution, Oceanica continually improves and invests in its key management systems (including project management, occupational safety and health, quality management, field operations, and data management systems). The combination of Oceanica's staff expertise, experience and efficient management systems ensures that our projects are carried out to a very high standard in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Oceanica’s comprehensive quality management system has been developed to identify and manage risks to the quality of services provided to our clients, and is certified to AS/NZS ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems–Requirements.

Oceanica creates value for clients by:

• obtaining timely approvals through our comprehensive understanding of regulatory requirements, consulting with all key stakeholders, and doing the work properly the first time
• reducing client risk through our expertise in implementing programs for regulator-imposed marine and coastal management, monitoring and reporting conditions
• assisting clients to build community and regulator credibility through best practise approaches and methods
• developing targeted programs that are not wasteful of time and money
• ensuring that our client is accessing the best available methods and skills
• maintaining value by ensuring the long-term utility and accessibility of client data
• ensuring that our rates are competitive and that staff experience and skills are suited to the task at hand
• building long-term partnerships with our fundamental approach of committing to maintain the highest level of service to our clients for the long-term

Throughout all of our work we maintain the following values

• INTEGRITY - Be Western Australia's leading provider of independent, specialist marine, estuarine and coastal environmental advice
• FULFILMENT - Ensure that working with Oceanica is safe, enjoyable and rewarding for our staff, clients and colleagues
• LEARNING - Promote and encourage professional development of all staff
• SYSTEMS - Document and maintain systems to support and enhance the services we provide
• EVALUATION - Monitor our performance to support regular review and continuous improvement
• CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP - Ensure the company is financially secure and operates in a socially and environmentally responsible manner

BMT understands that each company in the group is best placed to understand the needs of their own clients and staff. Oceanica’s future independence is guaranteed by BMT’s approach and structure.

Oceanica’s staff have welcomed the move to BMT because:

• our culture of providing high-quality service in the marine and coastal areas is further enhanced
• there is additional support and training for staff
• all staff will share in the future success of Oceanica and BMT
• Oceanica retains its identity and systems within BMT
• the long-term future of Oceanica is clear and stable

The clients we have had the opportunity to discuss this with have also been uniformly positive for the reasons listed above and because we now have the significant financial backing of BMT.

Oceanica has actively participated and contributed towards the following award winning projects