The Rich North Sea is an initiative of Nature & Environment and The North Sea Foundation. It was started to strengthen nature in and around offshore wind farms. By now, De Rijke Noordzee has started research and pilots in six wind farms.
‘The knowledge we have gained from De Rijke Noordzee about nature development in and around wind farms is promising. We are proud that this is seen and appreciated by the government and other sectors involved. With the festive highlight being the launch of this new program today,” said the initiators of De Rijke Noordzee, environmental organization Natuur & Milieu and the North Sea Foundation.
Ewout van Galen, director of the North Sea Foundation: ‘Over the past few years, we have seen how, with the right interventions and innovation, you can once again make room for nature in the North Sea. And that is desperately needed. The North Sea is so beloved by many and it is also the Netherlands’ largest nature reserve. It is fantastic that we can now continue the work that we and our partners believe in so much. Wind farms as a breeding ground for North Sea nature’.
Marjolein Demmers, director of Natuur & Milieu: ‘The North Sea is indispensable in the fight against climate change. Wind farms provide the energy that the Netherlands so desperately needs for the energy transition. It is of immense importance that nature can keep up with these developments, because at the moment nature is quite depleted. Strengthening nature is therefore everyone’s responsibility.’
North Sea Nature Enhancement Program
The North Sea Nature Enhancement Program will be a public-private partnership between government, science, businesses and civil society organizations. The Rich North Sea will be one of the partners. 150 million euros have been set aside for the program. One of the goals is to restore underwater nature and a natural bottom. This involves the restoration of reefs and oyster beds, but also measures to better protect animal species that have become endangered. Think of sharks and rays, but also birds and bats.
Five years of The Rich North Sea
The Rich North Sea is active along the entire Dutch coast. The work it does differs per wind farm location. At all locations there is intensive cooperation with wind farm owners, energy producers and scientists. In Zeeland, an oyster culture line has been developed, making healthy young flat oysters available for future oyster reefs. Off the North Holland coast, artificial reefs have been installed in wind farms. The wind turbines themselves are also the subject of research: one example is water refreshment holes, allowing marine animals to swim through the poles. Finally, ecological research is taking place on the wildlife in the wind farm. A good example is tracking cod and lobsters using transmitters.
Supporters of the first hour
Today, Natuur & Milieu and the North Sea Foundation celebrated their fifth anniversary with a symposium on the state of affairs regarding nature enhancement in wind farms. Special attention on this day was also given to the supporters of the first hour. The organizations were able to get started in 2018 thanks to support and funding from ASN Bank and the Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund.