Valmas: Valuing Marine Artificial Structures

Project overview

The rapid expansion of offshore energy infrastructure presents both opportunities and challenges for the marine environment. Structures such as offshore wind turbines, oil and gas platforms, cables and associated installations are increasingly common features of the UK’s seas, yet their ecological, social and economic impacts are not fully understood.

VALMAS (Valuing Marine Artificial Structures) is a major UK research programme that brings together scientists, industry, regulators and policymakers to improve how marine artificial structures are assessed, valued and managed. The project aims to generate the evidence needed to guide decision-making across the full lifecycle of offshore infrastructure, supporting a sustainable and responsible offshore energy transition.

Plymouth Marine Laboratory is a core partner in VALMAS, contributing interdisciplinary expertise in marine science, environmental valuation and policy-relevant research. Steve Watson, serves as Deputy Project Lead, ensuring strong scientific integration and impact across the programme.

Project aims

VALMAS aims to support the UK’s offshore energy future by:

• Improving understanding of the ecological, social and economic impacts of marine artificial structures.
• Developing tools and frameworks to assess the benefits and risks of offshore infrastructure.
• Supporting evidence-based decision-making for design, deployment, operation and decommissioning of offshore structures.

How the project works

Interdisciplinary research across sectors
The project combines marine ecology, environmental economics, social science and engineering to assess how artificial structures interact with marine ecosystems and human activities.

Valuation of ecosystem and societal effects
VALMAS examines both positive and negative effects of offshore structures, including habitat provision, biodiversity change, fisheries interactions, and socio-economic impacts. This holistic approach enables balanced assessments that reflect real-world trade-offs.

Decision-support tools and guidance
Research outputs are translated into practical tools, models and guidance designed for regulators, industry and policymakers. These outputs support strategic planning and help ensure offshore energy development aligns with environmental and societal objectives.

PML’s contribution

Plymouth Marine Laboratory provides expertise in marine ecosystems, environmental assessment and policy-facing science. PML researchers contribute to evaluating the ecological effects of artificial structures and to developing integrated frameworks that link environmental change with societal and economic considerations.

As Deputy Project Lead, Steve Watson plays a central role in shaping the scientific direction of VALMAS and strengthening connections between research, policy and practice. PML also supports stakeholder engagement to ensure that project outputs are relevant, accessible and impactful.

Impact and outcomes

VALMAS delivers critical evidence to support the sustainable development of offshore energy in UK waters. Key outcomes include:

• Improved understanding of how marine artificial structures affect ecosystems and ecosystem services.
• Tools and guidance to inform marine planning, consenting and decommissioning decisions.
• Evidence to support balanced policies that enable offshore energy growth while protecting marine biodiversity.

By providing a robust, interdisciplinary evidence base, VALMAS helps ensure that the UK’s offshore energy transition is environmentally responsible, socially informed and economically sound.