The Danish Fishermen’s Association has welcomed the Danish government’s new marine plan, but ORE lobbyists Green Power Denmark left unhappy
The Danish Fishermen’s Association has welcomed the Danish government’s new marine plan, which lays out co-existence for the offshore wind industry and the fishing industry.
The Danish Fishermen’s Association Chairman, Svend-Erik Andersen is pleased that coexistence and development of fisheries are central to the agreement. In a press release, the Chairman says:
“I am satisfied that the agreement generally states that there must be coexistence and space for fishing. It is a prerequisite for fishing to continue to contribute with healthy and climate-friendly food and thousands of fishing related jobs in Denmark This creates some peace of mind around the framework for Danish fishing in the coming years, and we can continue to work to ensure the development of Danish fishing. And it is gratifying that funds are also set aside under the Finance Act for that purpose.”
But where the fishing industry is satisfied with the marine plan, offshore energy developers are very unhappy that their plans for a sea grab has been thwarted, according to Danish fishermen’s platform Fiskeritidende.
The powerful Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) lobby are very unhappy with the Danish government for giving preference to fishing over their plans to plant the sea with offshore wind turbines.
Green Power Denmark has called the marine plan a failure as they are unhappy that so-called “open door projects” are being dropped by the government. This concerns 24 wind turbine projects which had already been shelved because doubts have been raised as to whether they will be able to be implemented due to EU legislation.
Kristian Jensen, CEO of Green Power Denmark, “This is completely unheard of. The government is slowing down a green industrial adventure, and it is failing the confidence of the companies that have to invest in the green transition of the future.
“The government says no thanks to the companies that are ready to establish lots of offshore wind turbines, so that consumers can quickly get cheap, green electricity, and Denmark can start the production of green fuels for planes and ships. It is incomprehensible.”
The salesman for Green Power Denmark is a former member of the Danish Parliament and Minister for Finance, Foreign Affairs and Taxation in the Danish government.
Difficult balances
For Danish fishermen, there is no doubt that it has been a difficult exercise to secure space for everyone at sea and reconcile the many considerations. It has largely succeeded, as the vast majority of the vital fishing grounds have been exempted from new restrictions, while at the same time space has been found for more protected and strictly protected areas and a massive expansion of the offshore wind sector.
Therefore the government should be praised for the great focus on coexistence that has been written into the agreement, according to the Danish Fisheries Association.
“I think this agreement proves that the broad government is a clear gain for Danish fishing, fish processing and sustainable development. Because the task has been exceedingly difficult, and although the agreement does not make it easier to be a fisherman, the result is certainly approved. I think the great focus on coexistence provides a good starting point for the continued development of Danish fishing, where work must be done to protect our fishing grounds,” says Svend-Erik Andersen.
Positive Outlook
The Danish Fishermen’s Association insists that fishing receives several key concessions. It is established that the fishery receives both compensation for the designation of new protected and strictly protected areas if they are detrimental to the fishery.
In addition, a clear handshake has been given for a revision of the cable order, which should make it possible to fish over the many cables from the offshore wind farms.
It is also emphasised that fishing must be taken into consideration in the further work to designate protected areas, which the Danish Fisheries Association has worked for since the association presented the plan “Together on the Sea” with the Danish Nature Conservation Association.
In addition, there will be no ban on fishing with bottom trawling gear in Natura2000 areas and bird protection areas, which has otherwise been expressed as a wish by several actors in the debate.
All in all, these elements contribute to the fact that the agreement is viewed with optimism in the fishing industry.
“There are undoubtedly some strictly protected areas and VE areas where we want to draw the lines differently. Therefore, there is still work to be done here. But overall, it is clear that several parties have fought hard for Danish fishing and ensured that the agreement is overall balanced, and they should be greatly thanked for that,” says Svend-Erik Andersen.
However, the Danish Fishermen’s Association is upset that the agreement implements a ban on trawling in Flensburg Fjord, Vejle Fjord and at Kalø Vig. In this connection, the Danish Fishermen’s Association calls for the areas to be demarcated so that fishing for mussels can still take place. In this connection, it is noted that DTU Aqua assesses that: “In exactly the environments and to the extent that mussel fishing takes place, it does not make a big difference”.