The NSAC has requested transparent mapping rules as offshore projects encroach upon valuable EU and UK fishing grounds
The North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC) has issued a pointed set of recommendations to the European Commission and UK authorities, urging them to adopt a transparent, inclusive, and standardised approach to the mapping of fishing grounds across the North Sea.
The advice comes amid mounting pressure on the fishing sector from increasing spatial competition, including the expansion of offshore wind farms and the designation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
The NSAC is calling for mapping exercises to fully integrate fishing industry knowledge and to avoid marginalising communities already facing economic and regulatory pressure. According to the Council, the current marine spatial planning (MSP) frameworks often fail to accurately capture fishing activity, with decisions made using inconsistent, fragmented data that does not reflect the realities of how and where fishermen operate.
“Fishing grounds are not just data points,” the NSAC states. “They are dynamic, ecologically driven spaces shaped by gear type, target species, seasons and decades of knowledge that cannot be replaced by static vessel monitoring data alone.”
Concerns over mapping exclusions and process opacity
The NSAC raised particular concern over a recent “non-paper” circulated by EU member states, which allegedly proposes to exclude significant swathes of fishing activity from MSP discussions based on overly narrow or flawed definitions of “significant” use. The Council warns that such exclusions, made without consulting the industry, risk undermining the legitimacy of any spatial planning outcomes.
“Removing fishing from the table in the early stages of planning and mapping leads to conflict and distrust,” the NSAC argued, referencing examples where poor stakeholder engagement has already led to tension between sectors.
Offshore energy developments intensify space conflicts
A core focus of the NSAC’s advice is the accelerating footprint of offshore renewable energy projects, which are increasingly clashing with traditional fishing grounds. The NSAC calls on planners to treat fishing and offshore energy as equal stakeholders, not competitors, and to recognise that coexistence can only be achieved through joint decision-making, not post hoc impact assessments.
The Council also criticised the lack of data standardisation between EU member states and the UK, which complicates joint planning and leaves room for misinterpretation or data manipulation. They recommend an international, multi-stakeholder working group to create shared standards for mapping methodologies and terminology.
Immediate recommendations
Among the recommendations are:
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Recognising fishing as a legitimate and essential marine activity deserving equal consideration in spatial planning.
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Involving fishermen and the NSAC in all mapping processes from the outset.
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Creating a unified framework for mapping fishing grounds, based on both quantitative (VMS, AIS, logbooks) and qualitative (fishers’ knowledge, socio-economic data) sources.
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Ensuring transparency in data sourcing, assumptions, and interpretation.
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Conducting impact assessments not only on fishing displacement, but also on economic and social sustainability.
A warning and a call for unity
The NSAC concludes its advice with a stark warning: if MSP and mapping processes do not shift toward inclusivity and scientific rigor, the result will be increased conflict, loss of trust, and ultimately poorer outcomes for marine biodiversity, fisheries, and climate targets.
It calls on decision-makers to view the fishing sector not as an obstacle but as a partner with valuable insight and a stake in the sustainable future of marine ecosystems.
