Offshore wind helps Danish fish

A new study suggests that it may not just be the land-dwellers that that are keen on wind power, but under-water ones too.

A Danish study by the Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies has said that offshore wind farms have hardly any negative impact on local wildlife, and properly sited could actually have a very positive effect, particularly beneath the waves. The study, based on the Samsø offshore windfarm suggests that once constructed, the foundations of offshore wind farms form artificial reefs for marine creatures such as crabs and mussels, while the wind farm creates a safe zone for fish to congregate. Artificial reefs are used in oceans and seas across the world, especially where underwater ‘real-estate’ is in limited supply. Industrial rubble, scuttled ships and even old oil rigs often become artificial habitats as algae and invertebrates attach themselves to surfaces, creating a new eco system, so there is no reason why the same can’t happen amongst the rocks and foundation piles of offshore turbines. It’s a fascinating idea that offshore wind farms might be generating clean energy and helping to create biodiversity at the same time. While it really is too early to tell at the moment, the team measured a small increase in cod, which suggests that in the long term, offshore wind could have a part to play in replenishing stocks of this particularly over-fished species. So although this is an area of research that’s just emerging, it’s one we’ll be keeping an eye on.