Since 2008, an extensive programme has been in place to monitor and study the effects of the installation of wind turbines on the marine ecosystem in the Belgian North Sea. The Operational Directorate for the Natural Environment is co-ordinating and implementing this programme in collaboration with INBO, ILVO, Ghent University and INTEC.

 

Fishing ban strengthens fish populations
 

Their 2019 report shows that the impact on fish catches in the vicinity of Belgian wind farms is positive. Thanks to the ban on fishing in the areas around the wind farms, the fish populations are actually growing again. This ban, in turn, is causing other animals such as seals, porpoises and seabirds to migrate to these food-rich areas.

 

Bird population
 

Scientists also mapped out the impact of the offshore wind farms on the bird population. Danish scientists found that seabirds recognise the rotors of the wind turbines very well and fly through the wind farm both during the day and at night. OD Nature's 2019 report shows that some bird species prefer to avoid the farms, while others are in fact migrating to them.