Offshore innovation

For energy companies and marine contractors

Offshore innovation

The loss of biodiversity of marine life species is becoming a bigger and more obvious problem. As offshore wind farms can have a major impact on the surrounding natural environment, we can help to reduce this impact and help marine life to flourish again. Our products are designed from natural materials for easy installation and the results will be monitored.

Easy installation

Reefy wants to reduce impact in all possible ways. Therefore our product is designed in such a way that no big heavy moats and vessels are needed for installation. This not only reduces the impact on the environment, but it also is cost effective.

Restore marine ecosystems

Reefy makes use of certain called "umbrella species" that kickstart new ecosystems by their capacity of for example learning water and attract other species. We work together with nature by using our products as the seeds that spark the initial marine ecosystem and we let nature do the rest of the work.

Monitoring impact

Reefy ensures to make impact. Therefore during the project, but also thereafter the impact is measured with advanced techniques so in the end we could present results, learn from experience and become even better in what we do.

The problem

Why we need to act now

average rising of sea levels by 2050 and increasing storm capacity

It demands for more safety measures for coasts and offshore wind farms.

loss of coral and 85% of oyster reefs

Due to climate change and lack of awareness, we have to face deep cuts in biodiversity.

The solution

The oyster bomb

The loss of biodiversity of marine life species is becoming a bigger and more obvious problem. As offshore wind farms can have a major impact on the surrounding natural environment, we can help to reduce this impact and help marine life to flourish again.

The Reefy block is Reefy's solution to creating a natural reef.The oyster bomb is designed to encourage biodiversity around wind turbines through easy and inexpensive installation.

The oysterbomb consists of two separate parts that can be attached to each other; a pole made of lime mortar on which oyster larvae are grown and a base. The pole is pre-seeded with oyster larvae, before put into the sea. This accelerates the natural oyster growth, and causes little species to settle between the oysters. This is food for the fish and will thus attract other marine life. The base is made out of Reefy mix, which holds the oysterbomb in place in the current.

In the base are burrows and holes which creates hiding places for crustaceans and the oysters on the pole start growing. This will eventually allow other cold water corals, anemones and algae to attach themselves and create a natural mini-reef. Also different components that stimulate biodiversity can be attached to the base. Another advantage of the oysterbomb consisting of two parts, is that this makes it easy to transport.

Bio-blocks

The BioBlocks are made of a biodegradable material, harmless to the environment, and provide the base for oysters to attach to. The BioBlocks are specially designed and tested for stability to stimulate the ecosystem. Because of its shape, it will still remain stable despite large currents. Using oyster plates on top, oysters will start to grow.

Bio-blocks attract marine life due to their shape, like Atlantic cods, European lobsters, North sea crabs, pouting fish and eventually catsharks and cuttlefish.
Accelerate the natural process of oyster growth.
They provide the opportunity for cold water coral, anemones and algae to grow, like Alcyonium digitatum, Metridium senile and fig sponges.
Not using any harmful materials.
Because of their biodegradability it will be a total natural solution.
Create islands of biodiversity on and between monopiles which increases the ecological connectivity.
A positive environmental impact.

Installation

Because of its shape, the oyster bombs can be placed among the scour protection around the windmills as well as in the sand. The oyster bomb does not require difficult installation techniques and can simply be thrown overboard by hand. This can be done during the installation of the scour protection, but also after the installation of the windmills and scour protection.

2020 winner

More benefits

Your advantages at a glance

By implementing REB you restore nature and create living space for a wide variety of life forms which bring even more advantages.

Security and financial matters

Easy monitoring
Installed without heavy duty equipment
Self-sustains and healing after storms, reducing maintenance costs

The ecological benefits

Attracts marine life due to its shape, like Atlantic cods, European lobsters, North sea crabs, pouting fish and eventually catsharks and cuttlefish.
Accelerates the natural process of oyster growth.
Provides the opportunity for cold water coral, anemones and water plants to grow, like Alcyonium digitatum, Metridium senile and fig sponges.
By using reefy mix the environmental impact will be 90% lower compared to concrete.
Creates Islands of biodiversity on and between monopiles which increases the ecological connectivity.

Real life example

Pilot project: Oyster bomb in Brouwersdam

The installation of large-scale offshore wind farms in the North Sea makes it both possible and necessary to strengthen nature within and around the wind farms. The North Sea Foundation (Stichting De Noordzee) and Natuur & Milieu have launched The Rich North Sea (De Rijke Noordzee or DRN) - project in which we investigate ways to enhance nature in offshore wind farms. We introduce reef building species like oysters or install artificial reefs to attract marine life.

Rewilding the ocean to protect the land.

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