As ocean-based development continues to increase, sustainable growth and solutions from marine activities offer opportunities to mitigate climate change and other impacts on the environment. The possibility to co-locate marine infrastructure, or bring together compatible activities, will provide solutions for efficient and sustainable use of the ocean. Marine renewable energy (MRE; energy from the waves, tides, currents, and salinity or temperature gradients) and offshore aquaculture are two industries that are likely compatible for co-location. Synergies between these industries arise as MRE can provide power for offshore aquaculture and can also decrease the environmental impact of aquaculture operations by providing power at sea and replacing the reliance on diesel.
This study aimed to understand the potential for co-location of MRE and offshore aquaculture and provide recommendations to advance this opportunity for sustainable marine development. A review of the different types of MRE technologies and their application to aquaculture operations was first performed. While each MRE technology presents both advantages and challenges for aquaculture, the most promising for offshore aquaculture are wave, ocean current, and thermal gradient technologies due to their ability to be used in environments that are suitable for offshore aquaculture operations. Then, several case studies were highlighted, representing research or pilot projects combining and co-locating aquaculture and renewable energy. Some examples include wave energy devices for nearshore and offshore finfish aquaculture and for offshore seaweed aquaculture and tidal turbines for oyster aquaculture. Using the information and lessons learned collected in this study, opportunities and challenges for co-location were identified (Table 1) as well as recommendations for advancement. These were categorized into three common themes: technical and operational processes, regulatory processes (including environmental and social aspects), and economic impact. Overall, key recommendations include the need for more information on energy demands of aquaculture operations or creating partnerships between MRE and aquaculture industries.
Through a related study, spatial analyses have also been carried out off California, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico to further understand the feasibility for co-location of MRE and offshore aquaculture. Results highlighted the feasibility for co-location in the US by identifying specific areas where these industries align. These studies show the possibility of bringing these marine-based industries together for sustainable marine development.