Signature of a partnership to study the feasibility of a sustainable and integrated aquaculture farm within the
Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.

Ailes Marines is committed to supporting and monitoring the completion of the feasibility study of this AMTI project supported and carried out by the CRC Bretagne Nord , which will mobilize, to carry out, the local structures and centers of expertise which could support the good realization of this feasibility. For example, players in the Costa Rican “fishing” sector such as the CCI 22 as manager of the Costa Rican fish auctions or the Center for the Study and Valorization of Algae (CEVA) could be consulted.

Ailes Marines aquaculture engineer position which will be integrated into the CRC Bretagne Nord to carry out the feasibility study. This engineer will be responsible for coordinating regulatory expertise (authorization to operate marine cultures, maritime safety, etc.), technical and zootechnical expertise economic feasibility expertise . It will begin in January 2023.

The Iberdrola group, which 100% owns the project company Ailes Marines, is also mobilizing its Research and Development department to support the successful completion of this study.

“The choice of jacket foundations which support the park's 62 wind turbines allows the circulation of water masses and biodiversity. The studies that will be carried out will make it possible to accelerate the data acquisition process and to know whether this type of innovative AMTI breeding solution supported by the CRCBN is compatible with the operation of an offshore wind farm. This type of innovation is increasingly developing in offshore wind farms in Northern Europe.” said Stéphane Alain Riou, Development and Territory Director of Iberdrola & Ailes Marines .

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) combines the exploitation of various species on the same production site, based on the trophic relationships between the different breeding compartments (algae, shellfish, etc.). This association of species makes it possible to recreate an ecosystem by combining complementary species and represents a real solution for the sustainable development of aquaculture activities. This type of production has the dual benefit of reducing the environmental impact of farming and providing additional activity for shellfish farmers (mussels, oysters, etc.).

The integration of this aquaculture project does not stop at the ecosystem aspect, and also looks at the economic and social components of the Costa Rican fishing industry . Indeed, this project wants to integrate into existing structures (auction, fish trading) and wishes to develop new and complementary synergies on markets other than traditional shellfish farming.