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Impact of the use of offshore wind and other marine renewables on European fisheries
Project
Project code: TI-SF-08-PID2284
Contract period: 01.05.2020
- 31.10.2020
Purpose of research: Applied research
What is the general impact of the development of marine renewables on the European fishing sector? In our study, we answer this question, highlight pathways for possible co-existence solutions and research gaps and provide concluding policy recommendations.
The proliferation of offshore renewables, such as offshore wind farms, is a key pillar in the global transition to a carbon-free power sector. The expansion of offshore renewables varies greatly across the European seas and is accompanied by an increasing conflict potential with other marine sectors, such as fisheries. This study aims to provide an overview of the general impacts of the development of offshore renewables on fisheries in European sea basins. Furthermore, it highlights pathways for possible co-existence solutions for both sectors, a description of good practice examples and lessons learnt, research gaps, and policy recommendations.
The exploitation of offshore renewable (OR) resources varies greatly in size and capacity across the different European sea basins, whereby the spatial expansion until 2025 suggests a sharp increase of spatial conflict potential in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean over the next five years. The current and future cumulative OR development affects mostly trawling fleets targeting mixed demersal species and crustaceans, whereas the composition of fishing effort varied greatly across fleets at individual planning sites. European-wide standardised monitoring programmes would provide currently unavailable ecological and socio-economic data (i.e. indirect costs of lost fishing opportunities), which are needed to assess the general cumulative ecological and socio-economic effects of OR expansions. An integrative framework is proposed to clarify and mitigate the effects of OR on fisheries (e.g. by creating transparent guidelines on the expansion of OR, early stakeholder consultation, the involvement of independent third parties or compensation payments), and to facilitate best practice guidance for marine spatial planning and the co-operation among marine users.
Section overview
Subjects
- Marine fisheries
- Resource management
- Process engineering
- Mariculture
