Shellfish and seaweed: monitoring, nature-inclusive farming and IMTA
About this expertise
In short- Ecology and farming of shellfish
- Monitoring & data shellfish (WUR Shellfish Monitor)
- Nature & biodiversity
- Seaweed & IMTA
- Research methods
Seaweed and shellfish can contribute to a sustainable food supply. WUR monitors species to study their ecology. We seek opportunities for nature-inclusive farming and fishery. We make our knowledge available to policy makers, management and chain parties who want to use food from the sea in balance with the natural ecosystems.
In the Netherlands, shellfish farming and fishery take place in protected areas such as the Eastern Scheldt, Grevelingenmeer and the Wadden Sea. This requires careful operational management and public support. We study food safety and the sustainable development of the chain from farm to fork. For example, we seek methods for nature-inclusive farming, alternative sources for mussel seed and new methods for oyster cultivation.
WUR makes scientific knowledge available to growers, chain parties, government agencies and public bodies, and implementing managers such as the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management and the Forestry Commission. One of the ways we do this is with the Shellfish Monitor, which has been providing data for management and policy since 1990. Besides monitoring, we use innovative methods such as eDNA and advanced data models.
We also highlight the natural value of the ecosystems in which this takes place: for example, shellfish filter the water and their habitats also offer a home to many other species. We study how area closures, for example in the Wadden Sea, contribute to nature development.
More information
Good management requires reliable stock information. WUR has been mapping shellfish for the Shellfish Monitor since 1990, building one of the longest-running datasets of Dutch coastal and delta waters. This monitor provides annual insight into the extent, biomass and distribution of shellfish in the coastal zone, Wadden Sea and saline waters of the delta. This is divided into five parts: the coastal zone, sublittoral of the Wadden Sea, tidal flats, mapping of shellfish beds and the south-western delta.
Inventories are primarily focused on cockles, mussels, Atlantic jackknife clam, cut through shell and Pacific oysters. We also include other species, crabs and echinoderms. Much of this falls under the Statutory Research Tasks (WOT) commissioned by the Ministry of LVVN; the sub-littoral Wadden Sea inventory is commissioned by the Mussel Culture Producers' Organisation.
The data are widely available and used intensively by industry, water managers and policy makers, for example to estimate the impact of sand replenishment and nature management.
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) combines species from different trophic levels in one system. For example, seaweed as a base, with shellfish, prawns or fish on top. The aim is to increase production in the system while improving sustainability through closed-loop farming. Practical experiences vary by region and crop, while economic feasibility also varies.
Research shows that low-input systems without supplementary feeding can lower costs, reduce pollution and maintain yields at system level. Policy and cooperation in the chain help determine space and scale-up. In the Netherlands, we are looking at opportunities for cockle farming, among other things. Internationally, we conducted pilots with combinations of seaweed, shellfish, shrimps, sea cucumbers and fish, for example.
Wageningen University & Research combines long-term surveys and species-specific stock surveys with innovative techniques. Depending on the research question, we use eDNA, data models, AI and (video) monitoring, among others. We unlock data according to FAIR principles via portals and dashboards. A well-known example is the Shellfish Monitor, which has been providing data for management and policy since 1990.
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dr. K (Karin) Troost
Researcher Marine Ecology