Van Oord is to work on two projects that aim to boost the growth of oyster beds and other biodiversity at offshore wind farms in the Netherlands.
The Dutch company will partner with the North Sea Foundation and the Natuur & Milieu organisation at Eneco’s Luchterduinen wind farm to restore natural underwater features.
Artificial reefs and cages containing adult oysters will be installed at Luchterduinen.
“The oysters will produce larvae that contribute to the creation of a full-scale reef that then attracts all kinds of other species, such as crabs, fish and seals,” Van Oord said.
The partners – which also include consultancy Waardenburg and Wageningen University and Research Centre – will analyse the optimum underwater conditions to enable nature to thrive and will use the data to draw up a blueprint that can be applied to future wind farms.
A second oyster project will also be set up at the 20MW Borssele 5 innovation site in the Dutch North Sea.
Image: Van Oord
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