Jellyfish blooms linked to offshore gas platforms and wind farms
31 July 2017
By Kate Ravilious
Jellymageddon is upon us – and we might be partly responsible. Vast blooms of moon jellyfish and other related species are being reported with increasing frequency in the media. Evidence now suggests that our offshore constructions, including oil and gas platforms and wind farms, may be aiding these gelatinous invasions.
Jellyfish form an important part of the ocean’s ecosystem, but create problems when they appear in large numbers. Such groups shut down beaches for swimmers, clog fishing nets, cause the closure of power plants and desalination facilities by blocking their water intakes, and alter the marine food chain by gobbling fish larvae and food for plankton feeders.
Many jellyfish, including the harmless purple moon jellyfish, start life as “polyps” that need to attach themselves to a surface – often preferring overhanging ones. Such surfaces are fairly rare in nature, but some researchers think the increase in number of marine constructions may have inadvertently helped jellyfish to thrive by providing polyps with the ideal home (see “Jellyfish takeover”).
Moon jellyfish have become increasingly common in the Adriatic Sea in recent decades. They were first observed there in 1834, but tended to be a rare occurrence. Between the 1950s and 70s they appeared once or twice per decade, and by the 80s and 90s were present around eight years in every 10. In the last two decades, they have been present every year. This surge in numbers has coincided with a rise in gas platforms in the Adriatic, from its first in 1968 to around 140 now.
More:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2142322-jellyfish-blooms-linked-to-offshore-gas-platforms-and-wind-farms/?utm_source=NSNS&utm_medium=ILC&utm_campaign=webpush&cmpid=ILC%257CNSNS%257C2016-GLOBAL-webpush-jellyfish
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