The European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries “is almost unanimously of the opinion that fishermen should be consulted about the construction of offshore wind farms”, said Peter van Dalen (EPP, Netherlands), presenting his report on the effects of offshore wind farms and other renewable energy systems on the fisheries sector to the plenary on Monday 5 July.
The rapporteur calls for “real and full participation of fishermen in the question of where to place these wind turbines”.
Fishermen know best where the best fishing grounds are, according to Mr van Dalen. He therefore suggests that “we look at the possibility of locating wind turbines in marine protected areas. After all, it wouldn't take away much fishing ground from the fishermen”.
The report also mentions the risks associated with the construction of offshore wind farms (noise when the piles are driven in, electromagnetic radiation from the cables, etc.)
The report stresses that offshore wind farms should only be built in cases where negative environmental and ecological impacts as well as economic and social impacts on fishermen and fish farmers can be excluded. The European Parliament calls on the European Commission to assess the maritime spatial plans that Member States are currently submitting.
During the debate on the report the day before, the European Commission said that offshore wind energy “plays a key role in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal”.
The Commission added: “We will therefore make sure that the fisheries and aquaculture sectors will be appropriately involved in all decision making in this context. Before any offshore wind farms see the light, all projects will undergo the necessary impact assessment”.
The report was adopted without amendments on Tuesday: https://bit.ly/3hHxzES (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)