ENVIRONMENT

Navigating the Waters: Co-existence Between Offshore Wind and the Commercial Fishing Industry

Final 9341
Femke de Boer
Principal Consultant

Before steel towers rose from the deep, the fishing industry was the dominant user of the marine space. It now shares the seas with a growing number of industries. Among them, the offshore renewables sector, accompanied by an expanding network of subsea cables. 

The commercial fishing industry has expressed their frustrations over the increasing competition for space in the marine environment, calling it a “spatial squeeze”. With every new offshore renewable project or subsea cable, fishing grounds are potentially lost, and the fishing industry feels that their concerns are not being adequately addressed. As a result, the fishing industry has objected to all proposed renewable developments in Scottish waters to date.

The offshore wind industry is equally frustrated. No matter how well you have consulted the fishing industry as a developer, there’s still an objection to every project. Furthermore, the fishing industry is not one united front, and that some individuals are making collaboration more difficult by not removing gear or purposely trying to stop surveys.

The urgency for harmonious co-existence has never been greater, but harmonisation and/or collaboration is difficult if frustration keeps building. The successful development of offshore wind farms is crucial for meeting renewable energy targets and combating climate change. At the same time, the fishing industry is vital for food security and the livelihoods of many coastal communities. Finding a balance between these two critical sectors is not just a matter of resolving misunderstandings and frustrations; it's about ensuring a sustainable future for both industries and the environment.

The path forward must be one of mutual recognition: the fishing industry will need to accept that offshore wind is here to stay, and developers should accept the fishing industry as a critical stakeholder.

At Xodus, we have found that maintaining regular contact with fishing representatives has been invaluable. These conversations help to build relationships, clarify intentions, and reduce misunderstandings. Early and meaningful consultation is key. Developers who initiate dialogue at the earliest stages of planning are more likely to build good relationships with the (local) fishing industry. Due to the diversity of the fishing industry, a one-size-fits-all approach will not work and tailored engagement strategies are essential.

Xodus can help with a wide variety of commercial fisheries support, including but not limited to:  

  • Fisheries Stakeholder Management
  • Attending, organising and chairing commercial fisheries meetings
  • Cooperation Agreements
  • Data Collection
  • Data Analytics
  • Consenting Support
  • Secondments
  • Decommissioning Advice
  • Strategic Advice
  • Engineering Advice
  • Project design 
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