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ATU Joins International Effort to Restore Dogger Bank Ecosystem
An ambitious international coalition, including Atlantic Technological University (ATU), has secured funding to restore the Dogger Bank, one of Europe's most vital marine ecosystems.
An ambitious international coalition, including Atlantic Technological University (ATU), has secured funding to restore the Dogger Bank, one of Europe’s most vital marine ecosystems. Led by the Doggerland Foundation, the project has been awarded in-principle approval for funding from the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme.
Led by Dr José M. Fariñas-Franco, Lecturer in Marine Ecology at ATU and one of the world’s leading experts in horse mussel ecology and restoration, will focus on ecological research, habitat monitoring, and species restoration.
Doggerland Foundation initially approached Dr Fariñas-Franco seeking his collaboration and leadership on the scientific aspects of the projects, as he is one of the few experts in the world currently working with horse mussels. The university’s expertise will aid in rebuilding horse mussel reefs and improving ecosystem resilience.
Dr Jose M. Fariñas-Franco, Lecturer in Aquatic Ecology at ATU and Principal Investigator at the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, says “The Dogger Bank has been known for centuries as one of the most ecologically productive areas in European Seas. Straddling across the German, Dutch, British and Danish waters, it has a fascinating geological, ecological and human history, being part of what is known as Doggerland, a land mass of almost mythical status that once connected Britain and mainland Europe during Mesolithic times.”
“After years of enduring relentless fishing, naval battles, and pollution, and with new threats on the horizon, the Rewilding Doggerland project plans to shift our baselines and restore the Dogger Bank to its former, more biologically diverse past, with thriving and biodiverse biogenic reefs as one of its keystone ecosystems.
“This rewilding plan is certainly ambitious and exciting in equal measures but with the support of the ELSP funding, the opportunity is clearly in our grasp. As science leads in the project, we are delighted to be Irish partners in this international coalition, providing sound, evidence-based, advice to help realise the Doggerland Foundation’s vision for a wilder, and healthier Dogger Bank.”
Spanning 2.5 million hectares across UK, Dutch, German, and Danish waters, the Dogger Bank is a breeding ground for cod, herring, sharks, and rays, as well as a key habitat for porpoises and seals. However, extensive trawling has led to the loss of species such as horse mussels, which form reefs supporting marine life.
Emilie Reuchlin, co-founder and director of Doggerland Foundation: “All too often, offshore ecosystems are ignored – what’s out of sight is out of mind. We have been working in the Dogger Bank for over one and a half decade and the challenges in restoring this ecosystem are immense. It has been degraded over centuries, and it is not easy to get to – it takes almost a day to travel to the site by boat. But it is a vital breeding ground and nursery in the North Sea that needs protection and restoration. With the funding provided by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, we will finally have the opportunity to scale up our efforts to bring back the species and habitats that the Dogger Bank has lost.”
The Rewilding Dogger Bank project will repopulate horse mussel reefs, reinforce marine protections, and establish a transboundary restoration coalition. Partners include the Blue Marine Foundation (UK), BUND (Germany), WWF (Denmark), ARK Rewilding (Netherlands), and the Embassy of the North Sea. Launching in 2025, the three-year project is among Europe’s most significant marine restoration efforts. Marine restoration is gaining recognition for its role in climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.
President of ATU, Dr Orla Flynn, said Dr Fariñas-Franco’s involvement is testament to the quality of research undertaken in ATU: “I want to congratulate my colleague in the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre in ATU, Dr Jose Maria Fariñas-Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in horse mussel ecology, on his team’s involvement in this major European project. It is a project that will have a significant impact on European marine biodiversity, and Dr Fariñas-Franco’s role is a testament to the quality of research being undertaken in ATU. I wish him and his team every success on this fascinating project.”
By restoring Dogger Bank, the initiative aims to set a precedent for future projects across Europe. ATU’s involvement ensures Ireland plays a leading role in shaping Europe’s marine conservation landscape.
