The Rich North Sea - Gemini ZeeEnergie OWF
Understanding Oyster Behaviour while kickstarting Reef Restoration

Photos: The Rich North Sea

The Netherlands
The Rich North Sea – Gemini ZeeEnergie OWF

In the Gemini windfarm, ZeeEnergie, research and experiments were conducted to learn about European flat oyster restoration. As a part of The Rich North Sea programme and WINOR project, the aim of the project is to re-create oyster reefs in Gemini OWF and use innovative monitoring techniques to learn from it (WINOR). The project utilized cutting-edge research methods to understand the patterns of growth, survival, reproduction, and settlement for native oysters. The research informs key influencing factors of oyster behavior—including their feeding habits and stability on the seabed of the wind farm’s environment. With this information, the project can inform how to execute native oyster restoration on a larger scale.

Partners

  • The Rich North Sea,
  • Gemini,
  • NIOZ,
  • Waterproof,
  • Waardenburg Ecology and
  • Wageningen University & Research.

Project date: started in 2021

Trackers glued on live adult oyster to track movement over the sediment.
(Photos: The Rich North Sea)
Vessel deck loaded with research installations and big bags filled with shells and BESE material.
Valve gape monitor and interval camera mounted on a scientific lander.
More information, methods, results, reports, videos, products that were used as well as tips and tricks can be found on the 

Toolbox page of this project.

Contacts:

NORAexpert
Renate Olie
(The Rich North Sea)
r.olie@derijkenoordzee.nl