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Gravelines nuclear plant shuts down three reactors due to jellyfish swarm
A massive swarm of jellyfish has forced the Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France to partially shut down. The energy group EDF reported that three reactors (units 2, 3, and 4) were taken offline on Monday after the jellyfish clogged the seawater intake pumps used for cooling. Additionally, reactor 1 had its output reduced to 50% as a precautionary measure. Reactor 5 was already offline for scheduled maintenance, leaving only reactor 6 operating at full capacity.
EDF stated that the incident was a preventive safety response and posed no threat to the facility, its personnel, or the environment. This event follows a similar occurrence at the same plant in August 2025. To mitigate future risks, EDF has implemented enhanced monitoring, including fixed cameras at intake canals and filter screens, and has partnered with fishing and sea rescue organizations to conduct targeted trawling to reduce jellyfish density before they reach the plant.
Experts suggest that the increasing frequency of such jellyfish swarms may be linked to climate change, rising ocean temperatures, overfishing, and plastic pollution. The incident occurs as France's nuclear fleet faces additional pressure from heatwaves and droughts, which have also impacted power production across the country.
Entities
Dunkirk · EDF · France · France Pêche Durable et Responsable · Gravelines nuclear power plant · North Sea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 20 SOURCES] The jellyfish swarm poses no risk to facility safety, personnel, or the environment. www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · caithness-business.co.uk · www.democratienouvelle.ca · www.20minutos.es · +14 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Reactor 1 output was reduced to 50% as a precaution. www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · caithness-business.co.uk · www.democratienouvelle.ca · www.20minutos.es · +14 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Gravelines plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Western Europe. www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · www.democratienouvelle.ca · news.nextapple.com · www.stheadline.com · +3 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Only reactor 6 remained operating at full capacity. www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · caithness-business.co.uk · www.democratienouvelle.ca · www.20minutos.es · +14 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] EDF has installed fixed cameras at intake canals and filter screens to detect blockages early. news.nextapple.com · www.stheadline.com · www.news9live.com · wkzo.com
- [● 20 SOURCES] Reactor 5 was already offline for scheduled maintenance. www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · caithness-business.co.uk · www.democratienouvelle.ca · www.20minutos.es · +14 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Reactors 2, 3, and 4 at the Gravelines plant were shut down due to jellyfish clogging seawater pumps. www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · caithness-business.co.uk · www.democratienouvelle.ca · www.20minutos.es · +14 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution are contributing to the increase in jellyfish populations. www.myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com · caithness-business.co.uk · news.nextapple.com · mesinfos.fr · +3 more