In a pioneering move for marine conservation and clean energy, Fugro and its BeWild project partners have completed the world’s first fully remote offshore ecology survey.
Conducted at CrossWind’s Hollandse Kust Noord wind farm, off the Dutch coast, the operation used zero-emissions technology to collect biodiversity data – without the need for crewed offshore vessels – marking a major step forward in low-impact ecological monitoring.
The breakthrough survey combined an electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV) and uncrewed surface vessel (USV), both controlled from Fugro’s remote operations centre in Aberdeen.
This approach not only reduces carbon emissions but also eliminates the risk to offshore personnel.
“This survey provides a glimpse into the future of offshore ecology monitoring,” said Dan Smith, BeWild Manager. “By delivering high-quality data remotely, we’re not only reducing operational costs and environmental impact, but also enabling our clients to gain unprecedented insights into the health and biodiversity of their offshore assets.”
Using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and AI-powered vision systems, the team collected non-invasive, real-time data on marine biodiversity.
Crucially, the survey also evaluated the ecological performance of nature-inclusive scour protection installed around turbines—laying the groundwork for renewable infrastructure that enhances rather than disrupts marine ecosystems.
The BeWild project is funded under the Dutch government’s MOOI programme and supports UN Sustainable Development Goals by integrating nature protection into offshore wind development.
