Identifying suitable mussel cultivation sites in European offshore waters-an assessment for co-location with the wind industry.

Abstract

Ensuring food security is a vital challenge. To meet food and, especially, protein demand in the next few decades, the aquaculture industry needs to expand. This could be achieved by expanding marine aquaculture at sea. Moving aquaculture plots further offshore has gained interest due to its increased space availability and more stable conditions compared to coastal areas, while also mitigating the effects of climate change extremes inshore. Spatial multi-criteria evaluation allowed for the identification of regions in offshore European waters that, under present-day conditions, were both feasible and suitable for mussel cultivation (Mytilus edulis L.). Future climate models were also used and showed a latitudinal trend, making Northern European waters more suitable in the future, while the Southern part of Europe became too warm. However, the future impact of extreme events, such as marine heatwaves, is difficult to predict. In addition, the study identified offshore wind farms with potential for co-location with mussel cultivation, which could help concentrate human uses at sea and reduce the extent of marine areas subject to anthropogenic pressure. With the offshore wind industry expanding rapidly in the future, even more co-location options will become possible.