Colruyt Group acquires permits to grow Belgian mussels in the North Sea

Colruyt Group has recently acquired the use and environmental permit for project zone C in the North Sea. Zone C is located 5 kilometers off the coast of Nieuwpoort and Koksijde and is better known as the Westdiepzone. Colruyt Group applied for the necessary permits in April 2020 to cultivate Belgian mussels in a first phase, and later also oysters and seaweed. With the permits in its pocket, the group is now looking for partners for the installation and maintenance of the mussel lines, the cultivation and harvesting of Belgian mussels, and their processing and packaging. The group does not expect a first limited mussel harvest until the fall of 2022 at the earliest, and hopes for a full Belgian mussel season in 2023.

Phased and thoughtful approach

With the permits in its pocket, Colruyt Group has cleared a first important hurdle to eventually cultivate mussels, flat oysters and seaweed in the North Sea. The combined cultivation of these three native species in the high seas would be unique in the world and an absolute first for the Belgian North Sea. "It has taken a lot of research and innovation, but now the realization of the very first sea farm in the North Sea is getting very close", says Stefan Goethaert, director of quality and production at Colruyt Group. "Growing mussels, oysters and seaweed in the North Sea on such a scale has not been done before. We also know that this will not be obvious given the harsh conditions and currents in the Belgian North Sea. That is why we are taking a step-by-step approach."

Colruyt Group will take a phased and well-thought-out approach to each phase of this project, from design to construction and maintenance of the sea farm. "We are now finalizing the design of our facility, right down to the choice of materials. Once the design is finalized, we can sit down with potential partners. We want to work on that in the first half of 2021, and then effectively start installing the first mussel lines in the second half of that year." Initially, the group will utilize a quarter of the area of Zone C. There, it will sow about 50 mussel lines, which will yield about 250 tons of mussels. A first limited mussel harvest would be underway in the fall of 2022. The group is aiming for 2023 to take advantage of a first full mussel season to offer Belgian mussels for the first time in all its stores.

Sustainable and local partnerships

Colruyt Group will call on partners with the necessary expertise for the design, construction and operation of the sea farm, as well as for setting up the further processing chain (farming, harvesting, processing and packaging). The group will also enter into targeted partnerships for guaranteeing safety in and around the sea farm and for monitoring the impact on the environment. "Whenever possible, we want to give preference to local, Belgian partners." adds Stefan Goethaert. "We are convinced that with this project we can establish a new value chain in Belgium, thus contributing to local employment and innovation in the Belgian aquaculture and food sector. We ourselves consider it very important to invest in such innovative projects and are delighted to have Belgian hydraulic contractor DEME on board as a co-investor."  

Environmental impact

Colruyt Group attaches particular importance to the environment and will therefore combine its commercial activities with nature management in the North Sea. There is a strong belief that the cultivation of mussels, oysters and seaweed will have a positive influence on water quality as well as biodiversity on and around the cultivation infrastructure. The environmental impact will be closely monitored in the coming years. The group will report on this to a steering committee in which various government services will have a seat.  

The Scientific Service Management Unit of the Mathematical Model of the North Sea (MUMM) that assessed the environmental impacts and provided advice to the minister will be represented on this committee. Brigitte Lauwaert, service head of MUMM: "MUMM has been providing advice on the protection of the Belgian part of the North Sea since 1980. Now, for the first time, a commercial aquaculture project is being licensed, which is unique in Belgian maritime history. Based on our scientific expertise, we have worked hard on the conditions the project must meet and on a monitoring program to map the effects of the sea farm. This monitoring program will be carried out jointly by MUMM and Colruyt Group."

Continued commitment to research and consultation

In addition to this commercial project, Colruyt Group also invests in research and innovation in aquaculture. For example, the group is part of a research project in Zone C, where the combination of aquaculture and passive fishing is being investigated. "We are convinced that the sea farm will provide many insights and thus add value to ongoing and future research projects, in which we will continue to participate." said Stefan Goethaert.

In addition, the group is committed to constructive consultation with all stakeholders, including local governments, ports, fisheries and recreational boating. "We are well aware that some parties are asking questions and continue to engage in dialogue." states Stefan Goethaert. "At the same time, we are convinced that a lot of local players are positive about the arrival of a sea farm and want to put their shoulders to the wheel with this. Whoever is interested in our project, we invite them to sit around the table with us."