MARCOS

The MARCOS project will explore and analyse the potential of large-scale offshore aquaculture (LSOA) for three scenarios: (1) as a stand-alone activity in designated areas; (2) integrated in newly developed zones according to the multi-use principle; (3) integrated in operational wind farms.

For each of these scenarios, the strengths, weaknesses, risks and knowledge gaps will be identified. Based on this, a roadmap will be developed which describes what efforts, innovations and knowledge building are needed to increase LSOA’s chances of success.

To achieve the objective, the following steps will be taken:

1. Identifying LSOA evaluation criteria to provide a qualitative estimate of the window of opportunity in the Belgian part of the North Sea;
2. Deploying numerical modelling to better understand the impact of hydrodynamic conditions on LSOA and the wave attenuation effect of LSOA;
3. Identifying LSOA design options using solutions for anchoring, installation requirements and interaction with infrastructure in wind farms;
4. Evaluating the potential of different mariculture types (e.g. mussels and seaweeds) using a number of test cases in the North Sea;
5. Drawing up a roadmap summarising the answers to research questions and describing the scope of future innovation projects on LSOA;

With this study, the MARCOS project aims to take a substantial and substantiated step towards future LSOA developments and investments. The roadmap will be used to select topics that the MARCOS project partners will further develop in follow-up projects.