Integrating offshore wind and low-trophic aquaculture for multi-use in the North and Baltic Seas

Low-trophic aquaculture (LTA) offers a significant opportunity to improve food and nutrition security, while offshore wind energy plays a critical role in ensuring energy security. Both sectors are of great geopolitical relevance on national, European, and global scales. The prospect of combining these activities in shared marine areas has led to growing interest in developing multi-use systems, which align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the context of the Horizon Europe OLAMUR (Offshore Low-trophic Aquaculture in Multi-Use scenario Realisation) project, efforts are underway to implement these integrated systems in the Baltic and North Seas. Offshore wind and aquaculture farms are being paired with the cultivation of mussels and seaweed, creating synergies between these industries. The Baltic site, located in Danish waters, began seaweed cultivation with the start of the project and is now introducing mussel farming. A second site in the North Sea, north of Helgoland, Germany, has recently started. Furthermore, a third case study in Estonia combines seaweed and mussel farming with rainbow trout aquaculture. In all three locations, the seafood produced will undergo thorough analyses to assess its nutritional value and any potential contaminants, ensuring the safety and quality of the products.

One of the core environmental benefits of these multi-use systems is the ability of seaweeds to absorb excess nutrients - such as nitrates and phosphates - thereby helping to combat eutrophication. Mussels, meanwhile, improve water quality by filtering particles like microalgae. In addition to improving water conditions, seaweeds play a significant role in carbon capture, contributing to broader climate change mitigation efforts. These processes support the development of a circular bioeconomy, particularly in nutrient-heavy regions like the Baltic Sea and, to some degree, the North Sea.

A key element of the OLAMUR initiative is the development of a comprehensive data service system, designed to assist policymakers by providing them with scientifically-backed, evidence-based recommendations. Alongside this, the project features an extensive Data Management Plan, which ensures that data collection processes are standardized, transparent, and interoperable with key European marine data infrastructures (e.g. EMODnet, Copernicus Marine Service). This will contribute to long-term data legacy and ensure that the project’s findings can be leveraged well into the future.

While many European projects have concentrated on the engineering and technical components of multi-use marine systems, OLAMUR goes further by operating LTA systems at a semi-commercial scale, integrated with offshore wind energy and fish farming. This innovative approach marks a major leap in the advancement of multi-use practices, maximizing the efficiency and sustainability of valuable marine areas. The project demonstrates the potential of combining food, energy, and environmental services in a unified model, positioning LTA as a key player in future marine spatial planning strategies.