circUlar Low Trophic oFfshore Aquaculture in wind farms and Restoration of Marine Space

ULTFARMS aims to move beyond the current application of Low-Trophic Aquaculture (LTA) systems with novel engineering, technical, ecological and biological processes to optimise production in harsh offshore conditions, low-salinities, and their integration within Offshore Wind Farms (OWFs). ULTFARMS will be covering the whole value chain expertise for LTA production in OWFs.

Co-development and co-management by research and industry realises novel designs and operations unique to offshore in six Low-Trophic Aquaculture Pilots (LTAPs) in as many OWF locations across the North and Baltic Seas.

These six pilots are implemented in: Belgium-Belwind (Seaweed-Mussels-Oysters), the Netherlands-Borssele (Mussels), Germany-FINO2 (Seaweed) & FINO3 (Seaweed-Mussels-Oysters), and Denmark-Anholt (Seaweed-Mussels) & Samsø (Seaweed-Mussels).

X This approach involves stakeholders from across the value chains of OWF and LTA to ensure environmentally sound, low-carbon, and safe LTA products from design to commercialisation.

New cultivation structures, grow-out systems, and both nature restoration and eco-friendly design measures are advanced through the proposed work.

Drawing on existing open databases and operational forecasting systems, such as CMEMS and SeaDATANET, within integrated monitoring and management platforms, such as the HiSea service platform, the planning and operation of LTAs can be effectively supported via an enhanced technical service.

ULTFARMS will offer services to aquaculture producers for monitoring and minimizing diseases and alien species, managing inputs, optimizing sustainable production and demand management including risk analysis.

Furthermore, through the inclusion of 5 Associate Regions (ARs) throughout the lifetime of the project, lessons learnt and innovations developed will be shared through comprehensive communication and dissemination activities and underpinned by the ARs active inclusions in work undertaken with partners throughout the project.