A large group of international researchers have just published a scientific article in which they encourage environmental authorities across the globe to rethink the idea of removing oil rigs, wind turbines and other installations in the sea when they are worn out.
A submerged camera at an old worn out oil rig shows an extensive life of flatfish, cod and bottom fauna in all its forms. A life usually not see in these parts of the North Sea, where the oil rig awaits decommissioning after 25 years’ of loyal service in pumping oil and gas from the ground.
“We also see many more porpoises around oil rigs than in the surrounding sea,” says senior researcher Jonas Teilmann from Aarhus University, who has been involved in the studies that have just been published in the international journal ‘Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment ‘.
“It’s easy to understand why the porpoises enjoy the area. One can’t throw a fish hook without catching one of the many cod around the legs of the oil rig,” says Jonas Teilmann.
Artificial reefs form oases in the sea
An oil rig or other artificial installations are typically present for 20-30 years in the sea. Through this period, the tubes, bars, concrete bricks and much more turn into beneficial substrate for adhering plants and animals. And this rich environment attracts fish and mammals.
Internationally, it has been decided that all artificial installations in the sea must be removed when they are no longer in use. But now almost 30 international researchers say that this decision perhaps should be reconsidered.
“In, for example, the North Sea, an old oil rig will have the same function as a natural stone reef,” Jonas Teilmann explains.
And stone reefs are in short supply as stones have been removed and used for, among other things, pier construction or been destroyed and spread due to use of heavy trawls.
“We have observed a significantly increased biodiversity around the old facilities and encourage the authorities to consider, in each individual case, whether an exemption from the demand for removal can be granted. When making the assessment, the environmental conditions must, of course, be of sufficient quality,” says Jonas Teilmann.
Avoid trawling
Around the world, there are more than 7,500 oil and gas platforms and between 10,000 and 20,000 wind turbines that need to be removed at some point. It is estimated that it will cost up to EUR 100 billion to remove these installations.
But perhaps the money can be saved and conditions for marine life improved instead.
“By leaving the rig in place, we may ensure greater biodiversity in the sea. The physical structures also ensure that the areas will not be trawled. The heavy trawls turn the seabed into a uniform desert with poor biodiversity,” says Jonas Teilmann.
Learn more: Oil rigs may end their days as valuable artificial reefs
The Latest on: Artificial reefs
[google_news title=”” keyword=”artificial reefs” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Artificial reefs
- Public urged to join fight for Australia’s Great Barrier Reefon April 26, 2024 at 5:20 pm
The survey also uses artificial intelligence to scan much of the data. The public is being asked to analyze the images to see which reefs fared better than others and potentially identify so-called ...
- How artificial reefs can help Southwest Floridaon April 26, 2024 at 4:43 pm
On any given day along the Southwest Florida coast, people will see boaters, beaches and much more. But what they can't see just off the shore are the dozens of artificial reefs – underwater – some ...
- Number of fish up 329% off PV Peninsula’s coast in 4 years thanks to new reefon April 26, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Sea life is abundant in the 62-acre restored reef and in surrounding areas, prompting scientists to call the resurgence ‘extraordinary.’ ...
- 24 artificial reefs deployed to help health of Sarasota Bayon April 26, 2024 at 12:18 pm
SARASOTA, Fla. - More than 20 artificial reefs have been deployed in Sarasota Bay. The hope is for them to flourish and create a new habitat for commercial and recreational fish. "If you want to catch ...
- Artificial reefs are being deployed just southwest of St. Andrews passon April 25, 2024 at 8:36 pm
Bay County officials are continuing to build up the artificial reef systems of local shores. As part of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, BP paid billions to establish the RESTORE Act fund. Bay ...
- Studying Artificial Reefs Helps Scientists Understand the Oceanon April 25, 2024 at 5:02 pm
Unusual reefs For over a century, Fast Company reports, a strange and varied assortment of objects have been placed on the ocean floors around the United States in the hope that they would serve as ...
- Deploying artificial reefs in the Gulfon April 24, 2024 at 9:00 pm
The waters in Bay County are popular fishing spots, and now Bay County officials hope adding artificial reefs will increase the popularity.
- 'Codfather' boat sunk, sleeps with the fishes in artificial reef off Jersey Shoreon April 24, 2024 at 6:54 am
Fishermen and divers have a new piece of reef structure to visit, a boat that was belonged to the infamous "Codfather." ...
- Artificial reefs create habitat in Sarasota Bay for juvenile fishon April 24, 2024 at 1:59 am
During the week of April 22, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program deployed 24 concrete artificial reefs as a part of a $150,000 program aimed at providing habitat for fish.
via Bing News