S2S serves as the Co-Prime contractor providing comprehensive biological monitoring, algae and invertebrate translocation, environmental awareness program and compliance services to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The seawater intake pumps over 2000 gallons a minute to support the over 80,000 plants and animals that reside in the world-renowned aquarium that receives over one million visitors annually.  The project site is located directly off the observation deck in a highly visible location within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and State Marine Protected Areas, which requires additional coordination with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Biological monitoring includes marine mammal, seabird and subtidal surveys to count and relocate mobile invertebrates and giant kelp out of the work area to the adjacent reef.  

Black abalone surveys are conducted in addition to the NOAA marine mammal observer and seabird observer being deployed on the work platform to ensure compliance daily. S2S’s Dive Director, who holds permits for the protected black abalone leads subtidal surveys. Surveys are conducted using S2S-owned boat, a Zodiac Pro Open, 6.5m (21.5 ft) Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB). All construction personnel received a training program from S2S that included wildlife protection and avoidance, spill prevention and permit requirements.  Additionally, S2S leads a marine debris removal program in the Monterey Bay Harbor that was a required element of the permit to mitigate impacts.  Dives were conducted three times per year for the duration of the project and marine debris was removed from the water using a team of six divers.