On 16th of June, European oysters (Ostrea edulis) and macroalgae (Ulva sp.) were deployed in the wind farm “Meerwind Süd/Ost” to investigate the growth of these species in the North Sea in an offshore aquaculture multi-use context.
For the mooring of the oysters, a special “backbone” was designed and constructed by the AWI workshop, allowing attachment of oyster baskets on a backplate and connecting it to the main mooring line. Two of those oyster moorings were deployed, each holding three baskets
with oysters of different sizes.
Additionally, seeded lines with young Ulva sp. (by Hortimare) were wrapped around three mooring lines and also placed in the wind farm that day.
The mooring for sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima), which was deployed in the wind farm in February this year, was collected for harvesting and measurements. Upon first inspection, the kelp blades show little to no biofouling and good growth (up to approx. 45 cm).