September 18, 2013 — In European waters, there is currently a long-term program developing near-shore and offshore wind farms, to provide green energy for our growing demands. These inevitably take up considerable space, and operate with large exclusion zones around them. This gives rise to potential conflicts with other marine users, particularly fishermen.
One suggestion for optimizing use of the space and reducing conflict, is to permit the co-existence of aquaculture operations. Several studies have been undertaken by German researchers, but with no commercial interest of their ideas to date.
However, a recent study undertaken for the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB), “Aquaculture in Welsh Offshore Wind Farms,” has brought the idea a step closer to reality.
It looks at the species and techniques that would be feasible colocation partners for the renewable energy sector. Undertaken with European Fisheries Funding, the study offers suggestions and blueprints for both single species and multi-trophic aquaculture operations.
The study suggests that at present, the most economically viable candidate is the blue mussel. A small trial using seabed cultivation has already been carried out within the North Hoyle array by Welsh mussel company Deepdock Ltd, who showed that such an operation is both practical and viable, with no negative impacts on the wind farming operation.
Read the full story at Seafood Source