Victoria Burdett-Coutts M.Sc. R.P. Bio

Regulatory and Permitting Expertise

Victoria is a Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio) with the College of Applied Biologists (CAB) and sits on the CAB Board as the Past Chair.
She is recognized nationally as a marine regulatory specialist with extensive experience navigating federal, territorial, Indigenous, and municipal approval processes.

In British Columbia, Victoria has guided complex coastal and marine projects through Fisheries Act, Impact Assessment Act (IAA), and BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) reviews.

Her experience extends to First Nation consultation and engagement, ensuring that regulatory processes meaningfully incorporate Indigenous rights, knowledge, and community priorities.

In Nunavut, Victoria has supported major projects through the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) and Nunavut Water Board (NWB), coordinating closely with Inuit organizations and local communities to meet consultation, permitting, and monitoring requirements.

In Eastern Canada, she has provided permitting and regulatory support under DFO Maritimes Region, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Transport Canada, aligning projects with regional legislation, habitat protection policies, and coastal management guidelines.

Her permitting work spans the full project lifecycle – from baseline environmental studies and impact assessments to mitigation planning, offsetting design, and construction-phase monitoring.

Victoria Burdett-Coutts is the Principal of Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd., bringing more than two decades of experience across Canada’s Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic coasts.
Her consulting expertise bridges, government, industry, and academia, specializing in marine permitting, regulatory compliance, and benthic habitat assessment in British Columbia, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Eastern Canada.

Project Experience and Leadership

Victoria has acted as lead biologist for numerous large-scale coastal and northern projects, including:

  • Baseline and long-term environmental monitoring programs

  • Mitigation and habitat offsetting plan development

  • Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and regulatory reporting

  • Client, regulator, and community liaison through DFO, Transport Canada, and Indigenous partnerships

Her ability to balance technical precision with transparent communication has earned her a reputation for efficiency and trust within Canada’s marine regulatory landscape.

Scientific Diving & Field Expertise

A professional diver for over two decades, Victoria holds certifications with CAUS, and DCBC. She serves as the Dive Safety Officer (DSO) for the University of Victoria (UVic) and is a lead biological diver within Dynamic Ocean’s field operations team.
Her hands-on underwater research experience informs her scientific assessments and habitat evaluations across Canada’s coastal regions.

Professional Designations

  • M.Sc. Marine Science

  • Registered Professional Biologist (R.P.Bio) – College of Applied Biology

  • Regional Council Member, College of Applied Biology (CAB)

  • Certified Scientific Diver – CAUS / DCBC Occupational SCUBA

A woman with long curly hair, glasses, and a brown jacket standing outdoors near a body of water with hills in the background, during sunset or sunrise.