Danish fishermen have welcomed news on new offshore wind farm developments will and the establishment of a €67 million nature fund
The Danish Fishermen’s Association has welcomed news from the country’s parliament that hundreds of offshore wind turbines must be set up in the Danish waters and the establishment of a new half a billion kroner (€76m/£58m) nature fund.
In a press release the Danish Fishermen’s Association say that the fishing industry welcomes the nature fund, as it is important in terms of securing future fish stocks and fishing. It also expects the Danish Fisheries Association to be involved in planning where the turbines are to be placed, so that the fishermen can “continue to contribute with healthy and climate-friendly food”.
A majority in the Danish Parliament decided that there must be a massive expansion of offshore wind of 9 gigawatts in Danish waters by 2030. A decision that was closely watched in the fishing industry says the Danish Fishermen’s Association, “because if the many offshore wind turbines are not to collide with important fishing grounds, the fishermen must be involved when they are placed. This is a prerequisite for ensuring coexistence at sea, and the fishermen therefore expect to be consulted.”
“Now the government just needs to deliver on the promises of coexistence between fishing and offshore wind by including fishing when the offshore wind turbines are to be placed. It is imperative if fishing is to continue to be able to contribute with healthy and climate-friendly food and important jobs,” says Svend-Erik Andersen, chairman of the Danish Fishermen’s Association.
The Danish Fishermen’s Association pointed out that statistics from DTU Aqua show that Danish fishermen today fish 32.5% of the Danish seabed and catch 90% of their catch in Danish waters on just under 20% of the Danish waters. Thus, there should be space for both fishing and sea turbines – without placing the sea turbines on the important fishing grounds.
Fishing in the parks
The Danish Fishermen’s Association also emphasizes that it must be possible to fish through offshore wind turbines and over the cables that go to and from the turbines.
“If overlap between the fishing grounds and the offshore wind turbines is unavoidable, it is important to us that we get the opportunity to fish over the cables and in the offshore wind turbine installations. Like the location, it can contribute to ensuring coexistence between turbines and fishing, and so far, we have good experience with fishing over the cables from the offshore wind turbine installations, where it is currently permitted,” says Svend-Erik Andersen.
Havfond must involve fishing
The parliamentary majority also agrees to set aside half a billion kroner for a new ocean fund, which will ensure that the marine environment and fish stocks will not suffer from the expansion of the offshore wind sector.
According to Svend-Erik Andersen, the Danish fishermen will be involved in that fund. He concluded by saying:
“I am happy that our concerns about the marine environment and fish stocks are being taken care of. We have long called for thorough investigations before the establishment of the offshore wind turbines and close monitoring of the effects on the marine environment afterwards. And then we at the Danish Fisheries Association are naturally ready to contribute to the foundation’s work, and we hope that we will be involved.”
Source: Press Release