A groundbreaking study by Wageningen University & Research, published on May 7, 2025, reveals that Dutch offshore wind farms in the North Sea are serving as habitats for sharks and rays, potentially doubling as conservation zones. Using environmental DNA (eDNA), researchers detected five elasmobranch species in four wind farm sites, suggesting these renewable energy structures could support marine biodiversity alongside power generation.

eDNA Uncovers Marine Life

The study, part of the six-year ElasmoPower project, analyzed 436 seawater samples from wind farms at Borssele, Hollandse Kust Zuid, Luchterduinen, and Gemini. By filtering eDNA—genetic traces like mucus or scales—scientists identified species without invasive methods. “It’s like a fingerprint in the water,” said lead researcher Annemiek Hermans, a PhD candidate at Wageningen. “The DNA confirms a shark or ray was there, even if we don’t see it.”

Key findings include:

Thornback ray (Raja clavata): Detected year-round in three sites, the most common species.
Starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias) and blonde ray (Raja brachyura): Found across multiple seasons.
Basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus): Spotted in Hollandse Kust Zuid during winter, revealing new migration insights.
Spotted ray (Raja montagui): Also present, adding to the diversity.

The non-invasive eDNA method, combined with data from The Rich North Sea Programme, offers a cost-effective, animal-friendly way to monitor biodiversity in challenging offshore environments.

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Why Wind Farms Attract Elasmobranchs?

Wind farms ban bottom-trawling, a practice that disrupts seabed ecosystems. This 40-year protection allows benthic life—worms, shellfish, and small fish—to recover, creating richer feeding grounds for sharks and rays, which rely on the seabed for food and egg-laying. “These zones offer relative calm,” Hermans noted, cautioning that reintroducing trawling could undo these benefits.

Turbine foundations and scour protection (rocks placed to prevent erosion) act as artificial reefs, hosting diverse species. A 2024 study found 193 species on wind farm structures, enhancing local ecosystems. This aligns with earlier projects, like oyster bed restoration in Gemini and Luchterduinen, which boosted biodiversity.

Implications for Conservation

The findings, published in Ocean and Coastal Management, support the EU’s Nature Restoration Law and Habitats Directive, which aim to balance renewable energy with ecosystem protection. Wind farms could serve as de facto marine protected areas, especially for vulnerable elasmobranchs, which reproduce slowly. “This is a potential win-win,” Hermans said, emphasizing the need for careful spatial planning.

The ElasmoPower project also investigates electromagnetic fields from subsea cables, which may affect elasmobranchs’ electrosensory navigation. Future research will use cameras, sensors, and more eDNA to determine if these animals feed, breed, or merely pass through wind farms.

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Challenges and Opportunities

While wind farms show conservation potential, construction poses risks like underwater noise and habitat disruption. Wageningen’s research, backed by the Offshore Wind Ecological Programme (Wozep), helps identify low-impact sites and seasons for pile-driving. Critics, like Germany’s NABU, argue some wind farms harm sensitive species, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring.

The North Sea’s crowded landscape—shipping, fishing, and energy grids—demands integrated management. eDNA provides a scalable tool to track species trends, guiding turbine placement to minimize harm. With offshore wind set to cover 26% of the Dutch North Sea by 2050, per the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, balancing energy and ecology is critical.

Why It Matters?

This study challenges the narrative that offshore wind farms solely disrupt marine life. By offering stable habitats, they could aid threatened species, with 83% of consumers supporting eco-friendly energy solutions, per a 2024 PwC survey.

Looking Ahead

Wageningen plans to expand eDNA surveys to track seasonal and long-term trends, potentially applying the method to other species like harbor porpoises or seals. As the EU aims for 60 GW of offshore wind by 2030, these findings could shape policies to maximize ecological benefits, ensuring wind farms power both homes and marine conservation.

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