July 28, 2026 — Since the first offshore wind project was developed in Rhode Island in 2016, University of Rhode Island researchers have been attempting to understand their impacts on local marine ecosystems. That work is continuing with first-year URI Ph.D. student Emmanuel Oyewole’s study of the artificial reefs that are often found at the base of turbines.
It’s been established through research surrounding offshore wind that the base of turbines serves as a foundation for algae and coral, which acts as a base for a booming ecosystem
In an attempt to find the cause of this blossoming of aquatic activity, Oyewole is studying the movement and dietary habits of one special creature found at the base of offshore wind turbines: Jonah crabs. He’s working with his academic advisor, Kelton McMahon, an associate professor of oceanography.
“It’s really, really important for understanding the impact of these wind farms on biodiversity, on ecosystem structure and function, and on fisheries production,” McMahon said.
Jonah crabs were often overlooked by Rhode Island commercial fishermen and were thrown away when caught in lobster traps, according to Oyewole, but as the local lobster population has declined due to overfishing and warming waters, the Jonah crab population has become a viable source of income.
Oyewole said Jonah crabs have seen an increase in market value and about 70% to 85% of all Jonah crab stock is from the Rhode Island area. Jonah crab fishing doesn’t require new equipment or infrastructure; lobster boats can use the same lobster cages to catch the crabs. Although the market for Jonah crabs is new and growing, understanding the impacts of offshore wind is important in understanding the future of the market.
“If [the turbines] are aggregating different biomasses from different areas, that means that you’re having a lot of stock like Jonah crab stock coming from fishable areas to that particular area, which is less fishable,” Oyewole said.