TY - RPRT
TI - A Report on the Perceptions of the Fishing Industry into the Potential Socio-Economic Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy Developments on their Work Patterns and Income
AU - Mackinson, S
AU - Curtis, H
AU - Brown, R
AU - McTaggart, K
AU - Taylor, N
AU - Neville, S
AU - Rogers, S
AB - Offshore wind farms in the Greater Wash, Thames estuary and North West could make a significant contribution to the UK’s commitment to renewable energy. However, the extent of proposed ‘Round 2’ wind farms will affect a range of marine users and environmental resources. Defra commissioned this investigation to seek the views of the UK fishing industry into the potential implications of proposed Round 2 offshore wind farm developments on their work patterns and income. The project was intended only to gather the views of the fishing industry in the three Strategic Areas, not those of the wind farm developers or the government departments responsible for the licensing and consenting process.Invitations to participate in the study were made to the fishing community between May 1st – September 30th 2005 through ‘Fishing News’ articles, and individual mailings to fishermen in the affected areas, their Associations, and Organisations. Fishermen were offered the opportunity to describe and explain their perceptions of the likely impacts of the construction and operation of wind farms on them in face-to face meetings, phone conversations and questionnaires. A workshop was held to raise awareness of the project with the fishing industry, wind farm developers and their Fishery Liaison Officers, and government officials. Despite these efforts the response rate by fishermen was very poor, so it cannot be concluded that the results reported in this study are representative of the entire industry. Although the views described in this report are from a small group, it is still important that they are made widely available to stimulate further discussion and to encourage other members of the fishing industry to continue this open dialogue with government.This report summarises the extent of fishing activities in the three Strategic Areas, and describes the perceptions of fishermen into the socio-economic implications of wind farm developments for their industry. The report also suggests mitigation measures for fleets that may be disadvantaged by such developments and provides guidance on how the methods used here might be used to assess the impacts of other offshore developments on fisheries.Fisheries within the 3 Strategic Areas are numerous and varied; 27 distinct fleets or ‘métiers’ can be defined. More than three quarters (700+ vessels) of the fishing fleet within the 3 Strategic Areas consists of small, relatively low-powered vessels that fish on inshore grounds near to their local port. Such vessels tend to have limited opportunity to move or extend their fishing grounds, particularly when other vessels already fish neighbouring grounds. A detailed description of fishing ‘métiers’ and results of an investigation into what fishing activities may be carried out in and around wind farms is provided in a report available from the FLOWW group (‘A study to identify those fishing activities that can be safely carried out in and around wind farms’).Causal mapping was used as a tool in the dialogue between fishermen and researchers. The method helped researchers to structure the information in a way that allowed a comprehensive and transparent understanding of the knowledge, views and perceptions expressed by fishermen, and to communicate that information to Defra in a simple and effective way.The causal maps successfully captured discussions with fishermen, identifying 7 linked areas of concern related to (i) Fishing activities, (ii) Socio-economics, (iii) Environment, (iv) Hazards, (v) Mitigation, (vi) Communication & trust, (vii) Decision making & prioritisation.Potential loss of access to traditional fishing grounds was widely considered to be a major concern and led to uncertainty for the future. Fishermen frequently reported that there were no alternative grounds and that displacement amongst the smaller 
DA - 2006/10//
PY - 2006
SP - 62
PB - Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)
SN - 133
UR - http://www.cefas.co.uk/publications/techrep/tech133_appx.pdf
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Social & Economic Data
KW - Human Dimensions
KW - Fisheries
ER -