Paramount Importance
Welcome to Paramount Importance — where science meets curiosity.
Hosted by marine scientist Kurt Krispyn, this podcast dives into the weird, wonderful, and wildly important questions about our world. Through open, honest, laid-back conversations with scientists, explorers, and big thinkers, we unpack the mysteries of nature, discovery, and human innovation.
If you're into the unknown, the unexplained, and the unbelievable, you're in the right place.
Paramount Importance
2025 Ep 27 Rigs to Reef: Dr Sean van Elden
What happens when massive oil and gas platforms reach the end of their life? Are they just scrapped or could they become thriving artificial reefs?
In this episode, Kurt sits down with marine ecologist Dr. Sean Van Elden, Deputy Director at the Marine Futures Lab at the University of Western Australia, to dive into the hidden world of decommissioned rigs and their surprising role as oases of marine life. From coral growth on steel legs to turtles, sharks, and even unexpected behaviours caught on underwater cameras, Sean reveals how these towering structures shape ecosystems and the complex debates around whether to remove them or let them live on as reefs.
This conversation unpacks the science, the politics, and the awe-inspiring moments that come with studying life around these industrial giants. It’s a fascinating look at how human infrastructure can unintentionally create new habitats and what that means for the future of our oceans.