Representatives from the fishing sector have warned against using the sea as a source of energy, claiming the marine environment is being put at risk.
Europêche, the voice of Europe’s fishing industry, is concerned about the growth in mineral and energy industry at sea such as offshore wind farming, arguing that the process is being developed without considering the long term ecological and economic impact.
Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche, said, “The environmental and economic costs of offshore wind energy are greater than one can expect. A large amount of square kilometres is needed for this industry, which translates into habitat destruction and a direct loss of fishing grounds due to the prohibition of fishing in the wind farms itself but also in the surrounding large buffer zones.
“The same grounds where fishermen were solely making use of the sea’s resources in the most sustainable way possible are now used and subsidised by governments to build offshore wind farms. As a consequence, fishermen are forced to displace from these areas and concentrate fishing effort in the already limited space left, increasing safety risks.”
Some countries are aiming to increase offshore wind power 40-fold by 2030 to meet a 2014 EU directive guiding member states to use the sea in an efficient, safe and sustainable way. Europêche argues that offshore wind farms are being planned without an analysis of the impact on the marine environment.
Europêche has no objection to other economic activities taking place in European waters. However, it believes that the EU must ensure that environmental, social and safety standards are upheld for all industries, pointing out that seafood is the best option in terms of sustainable food security.
