Recent innovations in monitoring marine growth on offshore renewable energy infrastructure are transforming how we approach decommissioning. Techniques such as video surveillance and eDNA analysis are revealing how these structures function as artificial reefs, supporting diverse marine life and informing both nature-inclusive design (NID) and end-of-life strategies. Research on structures in the marine environment (SIME) has shown clear species zonation through the water column, offering a range of habitats. Studies also highlight which scour protection materials are best suited for colonisation—knowledge that can shape more ecologically beneficial NID choices before construction. Notably, eDNA analysis found key species to be more prevalent within turbine structures, emphasising the role these installations play as refuges and feeding grounds—and reinforcing the importance of environmentally sensitive decommissioning practices.
Read the full presentation here.
3 Jul 2025 .
Raising the Reef
