Edulis: Offshore mussel culture in wind farms

Edulis: offshore mussel culture in wind farms is a collaboration between Ghent University, the Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Research (ILVO), 5 private partners: Belwind, Brevisco, C-Power, Colruyt Group and DEME Group, and a third research partner: OD Natural Environment. Edulis studies the feasibility of mussel culture in offshore wind farms, 30 to 50 kilometers off the Belgian coast. This ambitious pilot project is largely financed by private funding and facilitated by Flemish and European funding.

In May 2017 a first experimental mussel culture system was installed in the C-Power wind farm. At this location mussel seed capture and further mussel growth is being monitored. Regular mussel sampling results are being linked to the prevailing environmental factors to document mussel growth.

© Pictures: Gust Lesage, DEME Group

In November 2017 a second mussel culture system was placed in the Belwind concession. The forces, exerted by the sea on the mussel longline, are being measured by means of integrated force meters. By comparing these results to the prevailing currents and wave conditions, the minimum requirements for a mussel culture system can be determined and the system design can be optimized.

© Pictures: Gust Lesage, DEME Group

By the end of 2019 there must be clarity about:

The biological feasibility of offshore mussel culture in the Belgian North Sea
The technical feasibility and requirements for an offshore mussel culture system fit for heavy sea
The possibilities for integration of mussel farming with the existing activities in wind farms
The profitability of commercial offshore mussel culture
The sustainability of offshore mussel culture and the impact on seawater quality

Project partners:

Contact: Sara.DeVos@UGent.be

Attachment	Size
Persmap kick-off Noordzee Aquacultuur - 22 mei 2017.pdf	2.54 MB
Persbericht Edulis 14092020.pdf	1013.72 KB
Persbericht Noordzee Aquacultuur 14092020.pdf	230.15 KB