First seaweed harvest within wind farm completed

A floating net strung between wind turbines delivered a milestone this week. The very first commercial seaweed harvest within an offshore wind farm has been collected at North Sea Farm 1, located 18 kilometres off the coast of Scheveningen. The project is led by a consortium headed by North Sea Farmers and financed with €2 million from Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund.

Seaweed cultivation without using extra space

North Sea Farm 1 is located in the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm and covers five hectares. Seaweed is grown on four underwater nets measuring 50 by 3 metres each, securely anchored to the seabed. A specially designed harvesting vessel collects the crop between the turbines. No fertilisers or pesticides are needed, making the method an environmentally friendly alternative. The harvested seaweed can be used in food products, cosmetics, and textiles.

Valuable insights for researchers

Researchers from Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Deltares, and Silvestrum Climate Associates are monitoring the farm using satellite data, site visits, and eDNA techniques. Their focus includes growth rates, carbon uptake, and broader ecosystem effects. “We’re collecting samples from the seabed and the water, monitoring marine life on-site,” says lead scientist Ana M Queirós.

Commercial and sustainable

North Sea Farmers director Eef Brouwers highlights the significance of the harvest: “At the same time, we're demonstrating that seaweed production within existing offshore infrastructure is commercially viable.” According to Amazon, the partnership shows how innovation, sustainability, and research can reinforce one another.

Northseafarmers.org