Are offshore wind farms driving whales crazy? Do they really pose a threat to these marine giants?

In recent years, scientists have increasingly noted that people are already experiencing the initial effects of the climate crisis looming over the Earth. Unfortunately, forecasts indicate that the situation will only worsen each year unless humanity can reduce anthropogenic pressure on the planet's climate, as reported by IFLScience.

One of the crucial strategies in combating climate change is the adoption of alternatives to fossil fuels. Offshore wind farms are a valuable source of renewable energy and a key tool in humanity's arsenal against the climate crisis. However, concerns are being raised more frequently, including by the newly elected President of the United States, about the potential harm that offshore wind farms pose to marine life, particularly whales. Moreover, Donald Trump even claimed that “wind turbines drive whales crazy.” But is there any truth to this, and what do researchers think about it?

In reality, claims that offshore wind farms kill whales are simply unsubstantiated. Last year, scientists did observe an unusually high number of whale and dolphin strandings along the southern coast of Massachusetts.

According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation organization, in December of last year, a sixth whale was reported stranded in this area over the past six months. Researchers described this number of dead whales as unprecedented.

According to Constance Gee from Green Oceans, last week another young humpback whale was reported stranded along Richmond Pond beach in Westport — making it the 13th such case discovered on the coastline from Massachusetts to Kitty Hawk (North Carolina) in the last three weeks.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicate that since 2016, a total of 232 humpback whale strandings have been recorded on the East Coast of the United States, from Maine to Florida. Experts later termed this event an "unusual mortality event." At the same time, scientists assert that none of these marine giants' deaths were linked to offshore wind farms.

Expert data indicates that to date, no whale deaths in the U.S. have been caused by offshore wind turbines. Furthermore, researchers have found no evidence that the noise generated by the turbines could lead to the death of these marine giants.

Simultaneously, studies show that the primary causes of whale strandings along the Atlantic coast are accidental entanglements in fishing nets, collisions with vessels, and other factors, including:

• organ damage caused by parasites;
• starvation.

According to Rob Deaville from the London Zoo's Marine Mammal Stranding Research Program, scientists are aware of the main threats to humpback whales, and they are not related to the operation of offshore wind turbines. In fact, these threats include:

• fishing;
• collisions with vessels.

Moreover, statistics indicate that about 40% of marine transport today is dedicated to transporting coal, oil, and gas. In simple terms, renewable energy sources can reduce the risk that vessels currently pose to marine giants and can also aid in the fight against the climate crisis.

How do wind farms affect marine mammals?

Still, according to whale biologist Mark Baumgartner from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, offshore wind farms could potentially impact marine life in several ways.

Possible effects of such projects include:

• changes in the soundscape;
• alterations in hydrodynamics;
• changes in the electromagnetic fields of the natural habitat.

Potentially, all of this could indeed affect animal behavior. Factors such as navigation, predator detection, communication, and mate-finding abilities could be disrupted as a result. It is also suggested that wind turbines might shake up ecosystems, altering their abundance and diversity.

At the same time, other studies indicate that offshore wind turbines could serve as a feeding ground for seals, likely attracted by the massive metal structures. As a result, scientists are optimistic and do not believe that offshore wind farms could significantly harm marine inhabitants.