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In conversation about the strategic planning of offshore wind energy in the North Sea

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 On 29 January, researchers, policymakers, companies, and civil society organizations came together during the mid-term event of ECOAMARE and the Community of Practice Noordzee. During this interactive meeting, one central question guided the discussions: how can spatial and ecological knowledge and policy choices around offshore wind energy be better aligned? The event offered space for dialogue, reflection, and looking ahead.

The ECOAMARE research project has reached its halfway point after two years. This moment was used to reflect, together with the network of the Community of Practice Noordzee, on the key insights gained from the research so far and on the challenges that still lie ahead in the second half of the project.

Plenary sessions
Project leader Christian Zuidema (RUG) opened the day with an introduction to ECOAMARE. He addressed the availability of ecological space, physical space, and institutional capacity in strategic decision-making on offshore wind. His message: the North Sea calls on us to think and act strategically about its future. Sonja Fortuin (LVVN) presented from her policy role how policy is developed, using the Nature Restoration Regulation as an example. As a senior policy officer, she offered concrete recommendations on how research results can find their way into effective policy. Personal contact, insight into the right policy questions, and active engagement were highlighted as positive factors.

Interactive sessions & discussions
Participants engaged with one another in various sessions on topics such as ecosystem-based management, possible scenarios for the rollout of offshore wind, the implementation of RED III, nature-inclusive design, and research into bird movements in wind farms. During knowledge sessions on these themes, participants received updates on the state of research within ECOAMARE. The working sessions, provided space to share perspectives, better understand one another, and jointly explore opportunities and tensions.

Key outcomes
The event generated valuable insights. Central was a shared awareness of the importance of stepping back from day-to-day practice in order to look ahead in spatial planning for the North Sea. As the sea becomes increasingly crowded, space is scarce and ecological pressure is high. This calls for clear choices about how we want the sea to be used and protected in the future. Across different sectors (energy, safety, food, nature), we will need to shape that future together. This requires the right knowledge to be embedded in a broader dialogue about possible futures. What should and should not be part of that future, why, and what does that mean for the choices we make today and tomorrow? What is already clear is that a strong networking function between research and policy is essential in this process.

This input forms an important building block for the second half of the ECOAMARE research project and for follow-up activities within the Community of Practice Noordzee.

What’s next?
The discussions during the mid-term event underscore the importance of continued collaboration between science, policy, businesses, and civil society organizations.

We thank all participants and speakers for their active contributions and open conversations. Together, we are taking steps toward a future-proof North Sea.