News

Blauwwind´s offshore wind farm successful breeding ground for flat oysters

New research highlights the promising role that wind farms can play in enhancing North Sea biodiversity. A nature enhancement project in the Borssele III & IV wind farm reveals that flat oysters are successfully reproducing amidst offshore wind turbines. The Rich North Sea, in collaboration with wind farm owner Blauwwind, placed a total of 2,400 flat oysters at the base of wind turbines on so-called 'oyster tables' in 2020. It now appears that the deployed oysters have produced offspring.

More nature enhancement in North Sea thanks to National Postcode Lottery

Natuur & Milieu and De Noordzee Foundation receive an extra gift for De Rijke Noordzee for construction of oyster reefs in North Sea wind farms.

Codfish love artificial reef in wind farm

At wind farm Borssele I & II off the coast of Zeeland, artificial reefs have been constructed to boost underwater wildlife. Research by Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) shows that cod can often be found near the artificial reefs and use them as a base. The behavior of the lobsters shows a less unambiguous picture.

Underwater images show a lot of marine life in Blauwwind wind farm

Make sure all future offshore wind farms are built to enhance and protect nature

Nine financial institutions, Stichting De Noordzee and Natuur & Milieu are calling on the government in an open letter to make nature-enhancing and nature-protecting construction through tenders the minimum standard for all future wind farms in the North Sea. This will ensure that the entire offshore wind sector develops knowledge and skills necessary for healthy North Sea nature. In their letter, the parties argue that this will create a level playing field for all financiers, investors and developers who want to realize offshore wind farms.

Innovation for restoring oyster reefs installed in Luchterduinen wind farm

Four oyster tables – structures made of concrete and other material on which live oysters are placed – have been installed at Luchterduinen wind farm. By placing the oyster tables there, the Rich North Sea programme, energy company Eneco and marine contractor Van Oord are working to restore oyster reefs in the Dutch North Sea. The oyster tables feature an innovative design, the result of four years of research. This is the first time the design has ever been used in practice, giving the wind farm a global premiere.

Dutch farmed oysters released in Voordelta

Last week, young oysters were released in the Voordelta for the second time. The baby oysters, also called “hatchlings,” are the result of the flat oyster breeding line.

Turbine foundation design creates new home for marine life

Utility Vattenfall and nature conservation organization The Rich North Sea (De Rijke Noordzee) started a joint study to find out if turbine foundations can support marine life. While previous studies focused on nature enhancement projects in the vicinity of turbines, both organizations want to know if the structures themselves can contribute to nature development. Water replenishment holes in the foundations offer an opportunity for fish and other marine species to enter and leave again. The study is aimed at finding if they use the inside of the turbine foundations to settle, shelter and as a feeding ground. The study is conducted at the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm.