The Belgian Pilot, situated in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS) within the offshore wind farm of Belwind located 49 kilometres offshore, features an innovative combination of three key activities: offshore wind energy, European flat oyster aquaculture, oyster reef restoration, and seaweed cultivation. PARKWIND, a partner in the UNITED and ULTFARMS projects, is one of Europe’s leading companies in OWE production. They operate four offshore wind farms in Belgium with a combined capacity of 771 MW. 

Under the UNITED project, it was the first time that flat oyster aquaculture was tested in wind farms by using a holistic approach, promoting both production and restoration of wild flat oyster beds’ (H2020UNITED project partner – Gent University, 2020 | more information here). Now after the UNITED project has ended, the Belgian pilot continues its life under a different project, ULTFARMS, that started in 2023 (more information here).

Several activities took place under the UNITED project:

1) Restored Oyster Reefs: The pilot aimed to restore native flat oyster reefs, utilising the hard substrate used for wind turbine foundation scour protection. This environment, free from bottom fishing activities, provided an ideal setting for oyster larvae to settle, initiating natural reef development. The coexistence of aquaculture and reef restoration was a symbiotic relationship, where aquaculture provided initial stock for reef development, and established reefs offered oyster larvae for aquaculture. 

2) Seaweed Cultivation: The offshore wind farm offered a secure space for seaweed cultivation. The environment’s characteristics, including lower temperature, reduced turbidity, and less fouling, offset the challenges of strong currents and waves. This approach enhanced ecosystem services, such as nutrient removal, and promoted biodiversity.

Now, under ULTFARMS project, the test site within the wind farm of Belwind (operated by PARKWIND) is further developing. It’s current objectives are:

• Restorative aquaculture of flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) and development of nature-inclusive scouring protection materials will further enhance biodiversity and the ecosystem services provided by multi-use aquaculture setups.
• The monitoring of shellfish diseases will make use of eDNA techniques.
• The pilot will demonstrate Synergistic Cultivation of native mussels, oysters and seaweed located in an offshore wind farm.
• Innovative systems such as the development of an innovative submersible seaweed long line system will minimise the risk of material and biomass loss due to heavy storm events.

Follow the progress of this test site here: https://ultfarms.eu/pilot-6-belwind/