SOS 011 // 420 Wind Farms. One Unexpected Use 🍽️
Wind farms --> Mussel Farms; On the Altruism of Whales; Trump Administration Gives Green Light to Seabed Mining. Plus, this week's Ocean Nibbles and SOS Wish List.
Wind Farms Double as Mussel Farms
Windy days make me hungry. Now I know why. Offshore wind farms (OSWs) are typically built in areas with deep, fast-moving water. Mussels thrive in deep, fast-moving water that also contains high levels of chlorophyll. A recent European study found significant overlap between areas containing wind farms and areas containing high concentrations of chlorophyll. Why is this significant? Europe is facing a food security crisis in the next few decades. Aquaculture is one way to ensure sufficient protein supply for a growing population. Out of 454 offshore wind farms (OSWs), the study found 420 OSWs located in areas ideal for mussel cultivation. In the past few years, I’ve dove the local wind farm and I can attest that mussels and wind farms are fast friends. The plump, oversized mussels I harvested (don’t tell the wind farm operators) were superior to the ubiquitous PEI mussels we are forced to eat at restaurants. The sub-surface wind mill structure causes an upwelling of nutrients when it interacts with current. That upwelling delivers food to hungry bivalves like mussels. Indirectly, the upwelling may soon deliver food to us in the form of delicious mussels. The European study suggests colocating mussel farms with wind farms. A perfect match?
Whales Care
The 2023 stranding of 55 pilot whales in Scotland puzzled scientists. After necropsies determined that the whales were healthy, further analysis revealed altruism as the likely cause of death. Altruism kills? Well, sometimes. Putting the needs of others before one’s own can tend to precipitate one’s demise. Which is what happened to this otherwise healthy pod of pilot whales. According to a report published by the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, one of the 55 whales was a birthing female experiencing distress. A strong social instinct caused the other 54 whales to stay close to the struggling female as a protective measure. Their final act was one of altruism. Other whales exhibit altruistic behavior. Humpback whales have been observed charging into a pod of orcas to disrupt their sea lion hunt. A marine biologist credits a humpback whale with saving her from an eighteen-foot tiger shark near Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Dolphins saved a man from a circling mako shark in the Red Sea in 2023. The examples are countless. While the result for the 54 pilot whales was tragic, the message is uplifting. Whales care.
Mine, Baby, Mine
Polymetallic nodules grow slowly in the deep ocean seafloor. Millions of years, slow. A coagulation of fossilized shark teeth and shells, the nodules are rich in manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt and trace amounts of rare earth elements. Trillions of them speckle the seabed between Hawaii and Mexico. Until now, the mining of deep sea minerals has been governed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA). In April 2025, Trump signed an executive order fast tracking applications by mining companies targeting deep sea minerals in domestic and international waters. The executive order appears to be an attempt to undermine the ISA and grant sole authority to the current US agencies charged with regulating seabed mining: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). To date, neither agency has approved a commercial project for seabed mining. But mine, baby, mine. Right?
Ocean Nibbles
🤔 Reducing Pollution Has Potentially Disastrous Effects. According to recent studies, the Gulf Stream may be on the verge of collapse. The result could be a new ice age for Northern Europe. Now, researchers are claiming that reducing heat-reflecting particulate matter might actually hasten that collapse.
🦑 The Tentacles of Aussie Fishing Regulations Seize Boat. Two Australian fisherman overindulged while squidding in Victoria, Australia. To hide their over the limit catch, the two men stashed surplus squid in thermos flasks and a chip packet. Their nefarious efforts did not go unnoticed when they hauled out at the local boat ramp.
🐳 San Francisco Bay is Whaley Crowded. Due to whale and vessel traffic in the Bay, 21 whales were killed in 2025 by ship strikes. The 2026 death tally is already at 7. Being the tech hub of the world, SF is deploying underwater thermal cameras to automatically alert boat captains of nearby whales.
SOS Wish List
Chasing M2 Pro Underwater Drone Packages - Advanced Set
Price: $4,599
Want to see what lurks beneath without getting wet? The Chasing M2 Pro underwater drone makes that possible. With a 4k camera, 4000 lumens lights and 5-hour battery life, you can Jacques Cousteau without donning a mask. Add the optional grabber claw if you want souvenirs. Mikey likey. Get yours on the Wellbots site.