The Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France, recognized as Western Europe’s largest facility, was forced to take drastic measures this week after a massive swarm of jellyfish clogged its vital seawater cooling systems. According to the energy group EDF, the influx of marine life necessitated the shutdown of three reactors on Monday, while a fourth saw its output slashed by half. With another unit already undergoing planned maintenance, the plant is currently operating at severely reduced capacity.

While the incident sounds alarming, EDF has been quick to reassure the public, confirming that the situation poses no threat to the environment, personnel, or the structural safety of the facility. This is not the first time the plant has faced such biological interference; it experienced a similar issue just last year. Marine experts note that the rising frequency of these events—which have also disrupted power plants in Japan and Sweden—is likely linked to a combination of overfishing, plastic pollution, and warming ocean temperatures, all of which create ideal breeding grounds for jellyfish blooms.