Periodic Reporting for period 2 - UNITED (Multi-Use offshore platforms demoNstrators for boostIng cost-effecTive and Eco-friendly proDuction in sustainable marine activities)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2021-07-01 do 2022-06-30
German pilot
The German pilot is the first offshore multi-use cultivation pilot in Germany for algae and mussels in the vicinity of three wind farms. So, granting of the first aquaculture-offshore-multi-use permission was a great success reached in August 2021. Local algae strains were obtained and transferred to an algae hatchery for stock production. Already in September the mussel and seaweed systems were assembled, the lander for monitoring positive and negative impacts was completed and tested onshore. The mussel system was installed in time for the spat fall in April 2022, followed by the deployment of the mooring of the seaweed system. The lander was put in place in May 2022. First data is already uploaded into HiSea.
Dutch pilot
Preparation for the 2nd seaweed cultivation started in October 2021. Improved load sensors, cameras and GPS sensors with real-time capability were developed. A commercial seeding machine was used to apply algae to the nets. These nets were pre-cultivated in the harbour and deployed offshore in March 2022. In June 2022 algae were harvested with a special adapted machine. Until June 2022, a total of 32 interconnected solar platforms were installed. This represents 15% of the intended amount.
Belgian pilot
After two years of testing of flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and seaweed (Saccharina latissima) production systems nearshore, two longlines have finally been installed at the Belgian offshore wind farm of Belwind. The aquaculture lines are anchored with to screw anchors. These lines have been designed to withstand powerful offshore waves, often encountered in the North Sea. The oyster line was installed at nine meters below the water surface, providing a more hospitable environment with lower wave impact. Different productions systems are connected to the backbone, including oyster baskets in frames, oyster cages and dropper lines with glued oysters. To allow enough light penetration for the seaweed to grow, whilst also avoiding the highest impact of the waves at the surface, the seaweed line was installed at three meters below the water surface.
Danish pilot
New safety procedures and manuals for guides and operators for conducting the tour were established. Virtual visits to the windfarm are now possible using newly created video material. These tours can be accessed by QR-codes placed on five high-rise buildings in Copenhagen. COVID19 restrictions prevented tourism. Tourist activities started again since 2020 and numbers are as high as before the pandemic. Due to a new windmill entry system even more boat operators are advertising the “climb the windmill” tour now.
Greek pilot
Similar to the Danish pilot, touristic activities dropped during COVID19 but now the visitor frequency reached 40% of the pre-pandemic numbers and is still rising. The underwater landscape was mapped and infrastructure and anchorages were monitored using a ROV. Optimal diving paths were created to cater for divers of different experience levels. The monitoring system installation and improvements allow now for water quality analytics, better detection of diseases, optimization of feeding times and prevention of stress in fish through sensors and cameras. Decision support system produces early warnings on optimal feeding and harvesting, disease prevention and mitigation. Scheduling of diving tours and fish farm maintenance is now better coordinated.