The need for more efficient use of marine area has highlighted the potential for multi-use, i.e. the use of area for more than one purpose. The recent expansion of offshore wind power has emphasized conflicts among different stakeholders. At the same time, aquaculture of low-trophic organisms, such as bivalves or seaweeds appears an attractive way to increase biomass production. Bivalves can feed on microalgae and particles, and seaweeds utilize nutrients, such as nitrates, phosphates and CO2. In the OLAMUR project, w e are developing initiatives for multi-use involving low-trophic aquaculture (LTA) in the Baltic and North Seas.
The seaweed and mussels produced at the tree sites will undergo extensive analyses for nutrient content as well as contaminants.
An extensive Data Management Plan ensures transparent and standardized data capture from all parts of the project , as well as its interoperability towards European Marine data infrastructures (EMODnet and Copernicus Marine) for project data legacy.
Thereby, LTA can improve water quality and ecosystem services. Furthermore, LTA adds to a circular bioeconomy, utilizing excess nutrients from land and from fish farming.