The dream that became reality
The arrival of wind farms in the North Sea presented an enormous opportunity for nature enhancement. Because wind farms cannot be fished over the bottom, they can serve as excellent nurseries for underwater nature. But nurseries do not arise by themselves. With the sum of 8.5 million euros from the National Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund, we were able to help give biodiversity in the North Sea a “kick start. This brought us one step closer to our dream: a healthy North Sea that is a source of sustainable energy, rich in nature and full of life.
Looking back: what has happened in the North Sea?
The Rich North Sea is now several years underway, and a lot has happened. Together with a group of experts and scientists, we have successfully bred young oysters, which is not easy. On a small piece of the North Sea close to the coast, we are first testing oyster cages and artificial reefs on a smaller scale before placing them in offshore wind farms.
By placing artificial reefs and releasing oysters, we accelerate and enhance nature development within a wind farm. Reefs are a shelter for many marine life and a source of food for other marine animals. We have now placed a newly developed oyster table in Borssele III & IV wind farm owned by wind farm owner Blauwwind, and we know that the oysters are growing well there. In Ørsted’s Borssele I & II wind farm, we are conducting research on lobsters that have found habitat around the wind turbine and near the artificial reefs. Preparations for three other nature enhancement projects in wind farms are underway. We continuously share all lessons learned about oyster farming, artificial reefs, nature development and other relevant topics with scientists, the wind and water sector and the government. Soon we will make all the material accessible in our specially developed Toolbox.
Oyster tables with baskets full of flat oysters, Project Blauwwind
“Over the past few years, the team of The Rich North Sea has worked hard with all our partners to bring our dream of a healthy North Sea closer. With our newsletter, we are happy to update you several times a year on all the developments in the North Sea.”
Thanks to the participants of the Postcode Lottery
Jonne Arnoldussen, Head of Charities at the Postcode Lottery: “This is exactly what the National Postcode Lottery’s Dream Fund is for: bold and pioneering projects that take a big step forward. We were able to make this donation thanks to the 3 million participants of the Postcode Lottery. At least 40 percent of participants’ deposits go to good causes in the field of people and nature, such as the project The Rich North Sea. In 2020, this totaled over 347 million euros for a better world. This is how we make the world more beautiful together.”