The North Sea is undergoing major transformations. Alongside energy production and shipping, the need for nature restoration and strengthening biodiversity is growing rapidly. This week, an important step was taken in the port of Scheveningen: the first kelp rewilding actions using locally sourced Dutch sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) have officially begun.
On behalf of Natuurversterking Noordzee, our colleague Alexander Ebbing placed two kelp carriers in the water, so-called kelp stones, developed using the Precision Kelp Farming technology. This marks the beginning of a pilot in which Campus@Sea, Ebbing Tides, Wageningen Marine Research, SEAWISER and Mecal collaborate to explore how ecological restoration at sea can be combined with activities in the coastal zone.
In many coastal areas worldwide, kelp forms natural underwater forests that play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity. They provide shelter and food for marine life, improve water quality, and help dampen wave energy. Kelp forests also store COâ‚‚, contributing to ecosystem recovery in areas where nature has been diminished.
Although natural kelp forests are rare in the Netherlands, scientific studies show that multi-year kelp structures can have a net positive effect on coastal ecology. This pilot aims to determine whether, and under what conditions, kelp can establish itself along the South Holland coastline.
As part of this pilot, two movable Mecal Nodes were placed below the tidal line. These compact, robust structures serve as substrate on which locally cultivated sugar kelp can attach. The materials will remain in the water until May 2026, after which everything will be fully removed.
Only local kelp genetics are used to ensure ecological safety. Experts from Deltares and Wageningen Marine Research have confirmed that the trial is safe and environmentally responsible. Because loose kelp fragments cannot reattach, there is no risk of uncontrolled spread. The test setup is located in a controlled zone and uses materials that can be reused after removal.
The Mecal Nodes function like small, movable reefs. Their structure supports kelp growth while also providing shelter for other marine organisms. This pilot demonstrates how engineered underwater structures can contribute to increased biodiversity, even in a dynamic harbour environment.
This pilot is the result of close collaboration between Campus@Sea, Ebbing Tides, Wageningen Marine Research, SEAWISER, MECAL and the Natuurversterking Noordzee programme. It illustrates how science, engineering, entrepreneurship and policy can reinforce each other. Together, these partners combine their expertise to explore how we can strengthen the natural resilience of the North Sea.
With the placement of the first kelp stones, a new phase has begun: the active return of kelp habitats along the Dutch coast. The project shows how innovation and ecology can go hand in hand, and how the North Sea can serve as a real-world laboratory for solutions that contribute to a climate-resilient, living sea.
At Campus@Sea, we are proud to contribute to this development and look forward to the insights this pilot will generate in the coming months.
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