An interesting article was published on the BBC website a couple of days ago about a study into how seals in the North Sea are foraging around offshore wind farms. I don’t suppose it is any great surprise to the marine biologists that this is happening, as the wind turbine bases act as artificial reefs, and the seals are attracted to the fish and crabs and other tasty snacks that are attracted to the reef-like environment that offers them shelter and food. But thanks to GPS trackers, the seals’ movements can be closely monitored and have provided a grid-like pattern that echoes that of the wind farm.
The GPS track pattern made by a Harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) around an offshore wind farm.
The study looked at the movements of harbour or common seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). Some of the harbour seals repeatedly visited the wind farms, Sheringham Shoal in UK waters, off the north Norfolk coast, and Alpha Ventus in German waters.
Sheringham Shoal wind farm. Here there be sea monsters (okay, seals). Photo by Mike Page.
This little news snippet reminded me of a charming video I saw on YouTube a couple of years ago. Here’s a turtle meeting a commercial diver who was doing some checks or maintenance work at an oil rig in Thailand:
So cool! I love that the diver interacts so nicely with it, after the initial ‘What the ***!’ moment and shove when he realises there’s a turtle breathing down his neck. Aw, turtle just wants to hang out and be friends. I’m not sure what species it is—possibly a Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).