Biogenic reefs in the Dutch North Sea in relation to Offshore Wind Energy locations : Actual and predicted probability of occurrence of reef forming shellfish and worms in new wind farm zones and search areas for wind farm zones

Samenvatting

There is a need for spatial information about current and potential occurrence of a number of reef building species in the Dutch North Sea in relation to protection (Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Natura 2000, OSPAR), the planned roll-out of offshore wind energy and integrated North Sea policy (North Sea Programme 2022-2027). Current and future wind farms may offer opportunities for the restoration of biogenic reefs, if no bottom-disturbing fisheries take place. This report contains maps that provide insight into the distribution and predicted probability of occurrence of a number of reef building species in the Dutch North Sea in relation to new wind farm zones and search areas for wind farm zones as designated and discerned, respectively, in the North Sea Programme 2022-2027. A brief explanation is included for each map. The maps will also be made available via the Wageningen Marine geoserver (https://opengeodata.wmr.wur.nl/geoserver/web/) and via the Marine Information and Data centre (https://www.informatiehuismarien.nl/uk/). This report is an update of a 2019 report (Bos et al., 2019). We extracted data from databases of fish, benthic and shellfish surveys and included individual observations made during e.g. scuba diving expeditions. Furthermore, we included a number of predictive maps made by Deltares of the occurrence of reef building species in the North Sea, based on modelling with environmental variables. (Predicted) distribution data are presented for flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus), ross worm (Sabellaria spinulosa) and sand mason worm (Lanice conchilega).