When ecologist Anthony Bicknell and his team set out to explore wind turbines off the coast of Scotland, they weren’t sure what they’d find. What they did find was pretty exciting: haddock (a major commercial fish for Scotland) and flatfish known as dabs hanging out around the turbine bases — something scientists hadn’t seen before.
That’s a big deal. Haddock usually prefers sandy sea floors, not human-made structures. But the turbines seem to be offering something they like — maybe food, maybe shelter, maybe both. And they’re not alone. European lobsters have also been spotted cozying up to the rocky foundations, using them for protection and easy meals.
This matters because haddock, in particular, are an important commercial fish for Scotland, ranking just behind herring in value. Unlike cod, which often cluster around shipwrecks or reefs, haddock tend to prefer sandy, open seabeds. Their unexpected presence near turbines hints at something new: these structures might be offering valuable benefits for fish, even those that don’t normally associate with artificial habitats.
And haddock aren’t alone. In other parts of the U.K., researchers have found European lobsters taking up residence in the rocky foundations of turbines. These bases — often surrounded by protective rings of boulders — create little ecosystems. They attract barnacles, mussels, and other small creatures, which in turn draw in larger animals like fish and lobsters. Some of the tagged lobsters even ended up in fishermen’s traps, showing that the turbines could be supporting both marine life and the seafood industry.
The longer the turbines have been in the water, the more life they seem to attract. Bicknell’s team studied wind farms built in 2017 and 2020, and found that older foundations tended to support more — and sometimes bigger — fish. It’s a clear sign that these structures may be developing into thriving marine habitats over time.
Across the Atlantic, U.S. scientists are noticing similar patterns. Offshore wind is still in its early stages there, but research from Virginia shows that black sea bass are already making themselves at home around wind turbine bases. One fish tagged in February 2024 was still hanging out at the same turbine site seven months later. And while construction does bring short-term disturbances like underwater noise and changes to seafloor sediment, species such as Atlantic sturgeon and various sharks haven’t been scared off — they’re still appearing in the area.
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some concerns remain about the impact of offshore wind on marine environments — especially during the building phase. Artificial noise, electromagnetic fields from cables, and changes to habitat all have the potential to affect marine life. But ongoing research is helping us better understand and minimize those impacts, and so far, the long-term picture is encouraging.
What’s most exciting is that wind turbines aren’t just passive additions to the ocean — they’re becoming part of it. They’re helping to clean our atmosphere while also supporting life below the surface. For fish, lobsters, and other marine species, these towering structures may offer shelter, food, and stability. And for us, they represent a future where clean energy and healthy oceans can go hand-in-hand.
In short: wind farms aren’t just powering our homes — they’re building new ones beneath the waves. And that’s a win for the planet, the ocean, and everyone in between.