RWE has joined forces with the Whitby Lobster Hatchery to release 5,000 juvenile lobsters at the site of its Triton Knoll offshore wind farm to help increase biodiversity in the North Sea. If successful, there is the potential for a further 10,000 lobsters to be released over the next two years (2025/ 2026). The project, which is an industry first, will help protect the important local marine ecosystem and conserve lobster populations in the area, demonstrating RWE’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainability at its operational offshore sites.
The first batch of 2,500 juvenile lobsters were released in November, with the remainder set to be released at the offshore site early in 2025. As part of the agreement, RWE will also be providing investment to the hatchery to help cover the costs of additional staffing and the equipment needed to meet the demands of the hatchery operation and reporting.
Lobsters are a crucial link in the food chain and help regulate the populations of smaller organisms, such as crabs and sea urchins, which prevents imbalances in reef ecosystems. The release of the juvenile lobsters will help increase the population which not only promotes marine wildlife, but will also help to prevent imbalances in the ecosystem. The lobsters will be released into rocks located at the base of the Triton Knoll offshore substation platforms, as this has been deemed the ideal habitat for lobsters.
The release of the lobsters should also provide good news for the local area and, specifically the local fishing industry. Lobster increase is good news for the local fishing industry, as the numbers increase within the wind farm site, they will spread out and repopulate themselves on a wider scale. This should improve fishing opportunities and, in turn, increase catches of fish and lobsters bringing more revenue to local fishing businesses.
Aurelia Pearson, Heath, Safety and Environment Apprentice at Triton Knoll led the development of the project and said: “Some of RWE’s key ambitions for community engagement are active collaboration and fostering meaningful partnerships that create shared value. Collaborating with Whitby Lobster Hatchery to build a more sustainable biodiverse environment encompasses both of these ambitions, and is very important to us at Triton Knoll.
“Leading an industry first project to protect our local ecosystem and conserve local Lobster populations has been extremely exciting and rewarding for me. I hope to continue supporting local marine ecosystems to bring back balance in the North Sea, whilst promoting an understanding of biodiversity.”
North Sea Conservation (NSC) was established to operate the Whitby Lobster Hatchery which is situated on the historical Whitby Fish Quay. The charity utilises its three key pillars of conservation, education & research to bring balance back to our oceans, boosting the sustainability of our fishing communities and aiming to bring an ecosystem approach to marine conservation. The registered charity aims to release 100,000 juvenile lobsters into the sea; maintaining ecological balance and protecting the region’s lobster industry for generations to come.
The Whitby Lobster Hatchery formally opened back in 2023 and has been provided with support and funding from RWE’s Sofia offshore wind farm. Alongside the hatchery, the small but knowledgeable team provide an educational and interactive outreach program showcasing not only the work in the hatchery but also a host of other, lesser-known marine species native to the UK.
Whitby Lobster Hatchery General Manager, Joe Redfern said: "Whitby Lobster Hatchery is thrilled to partner with the team at Triton Knoll, marking a significant step forward in our mission to enhance marine biodiversity and promote ocean sustainability along the North East coast. Lobsters are not just a cornerstone species for marine ecosystems; they are also essential to the vitality of coastal communities in Yorkshire and the North East. These remarkable creatures are both iconic and crucial to maintaining the health and balance of our oceans. Together with RWE, we are committed to safeguarding and restoring the rich marine heritage of our region."
RWE already operates 10 offshore wind farms across the UK. Including the three Norfolk offshore wind projects from Vattenfall, RWE is developing ten offshore wind projects in the UK, representing a combined potential installed capacity of around 10.5 GW, with RWE’s pro rata share amounting to 7.5 GW. RWE’s unparalleled track record of more than 20 years in offshore wind has resulted in 19 offshore wind farms in operation. The company’s goal is to triple its global offshore wind capacity from 3.3 GW today to 10 GW in 2030.
