Abstract
The Rich North Sea program aims to enhance biodiversity in the North Sea by integrating nature development measures with the construction of offshore wind farms (OWFs). These farms create opportunities to support ecological growth by focusing on key indicator species, such as biogenic reef builders and predators like rays, cod, large crustaceans, and squid. Enhancing biodiversity is thought to be most effective on hard substrates, such as scour protection, where these species can thrive.
A significant effort is dedicated to selecting suitable substrates and structures for marine organisms to attach and grow. Also, new outplacement methods for flat oysters are being developed. To support this research, specially designed structures and research cages have been deployed since February 2021 at the Offshore Test Site, operated by the North Sea Farmers, located 12 kilometers off the coast of Scheveningen.
To monitor the biodiversity development on these structures, The Rich North Sea has established a monitoring program involving divers and ecologists. This report highlights the findings from field monitoring conducted on September 23 and 24, 2024, by Waardenburg Ecology's diving team and the image and video analysis by The Rich North Sea.