Advancing Sustainable Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea, ULTAN (Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler) is an Associated Region project under ULTFARMS – Circular Low Trophic Offshore Aquaculture in Wind Farms and Restoration of Marine Space, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme. The project supports the integration of low-trophic aquaculture, including seaweed and mussel farming, within offshore wind farm areas in the Polish Baltic Sea, promoting innovative multi-use marine spaces that contribute to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, eutrophication reduction, and sustainable blue economy development across European coastal regions.
The project aims to develop a Low-Trophic Aquaculture (LTA) Roadmap for the integration of sustainable aquaculture within offshore wind farm areas, assess the legal, environmental, technical, and economic feasibility of LTA deployment in Poland’s Exclusive Economic Zone, strengthen collaboration among municipalities, fishermen, offshore wind developers, researchers, and regulators, and promote nature-based solutions that enhance marine biodiversity, improve ecosystem health, and contribute to the sustainable management of marine resources.
The project will focus on conducting ex-ante analyses to assess the legal, environmental, technical, and economic conditions for integrating low-trophic aquaculture with offshore wind farms, installing marine sensors to establish baseline environmental data, organizing stakeholder workshops involving offshore wind developers, municipal authorities, fisheries representatives, and technical experts, and facilitating structured stakeholder dialogue to support the co-design and development of the Low-Trophic Aquaculture Roadmap.
Building on ULTFARMS expertise, the project will draw upon technical, environmental, and organizational knowledge generated through ULTFARMS pilot initiatives to ensure the feasibility and long-term sustainability of LTA deployment. Lessons learned will inform environmental impact assessments, optimize cultivation methods adapted to local Baltic Sea conditions, support the development of viable business models for macroalgae production, and strengthen cooperation between aquaculture operators and offshore wind farm investors. It will also promote awareness, disseminate key findings, and foster data-driven dialogue among stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of sustainable multi-use marine solutions.
By bridging offshore renewable energy and sustainable aquaculture, Ustka Low Trophic Aquaculture Enabler contributes to a cleaner Baltic Sea, stronger coastal communities, and a more resilient blue economy for Europe’s future.
