An investigation of co-existence between the fishing and offshore wind sectors, and the perceptions of benefit sharing

This research  is an initial attempt to provide a prototype that can be used and scaled up to stablish a coexistence plan between commercial fishers and offshore wind energy developers. It provides recommendations for improving co-existence practices between the two sectors through the lens of building trust and benefit sharing opportunities. 

Within a common deductive thematic framework, thirty three interview data was categorized into appropriate codes using NVivo Plus 12 Software.  The interviews produced more than 500 useful text references, which were categorised into four main themes and 15 subthemes; 437 references (87%) were related to co-existence. The perception, knowledge and expectations of the research participants on the potential community benefit options was gauged using an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model.

The comments raised from interviews showed a strong link between:

• Communication (an important element of trust);
• Sharing of knowledge (a sign of respect and a way to minimize the loss to fishers); and
• Establishing a national inter-sector liaison forum that is agreed by both fishers and developers.

The study identified what fisheries organizations, fishers and developers expected to get as a result of the communications between them:

• Fisheries organizations wanted an initial engagement with developers to begin at the top levels of both sectors. Fisheries organizations also wanted developers to know, understand and appreciate socio-economic information about local fishing industry activities. Fisheries organizations wanted developers to make early contact with fishers and local fisheries associations in the process of site selection and wind farm planning. Fishers wanted to know what was going to happen in their fishing area and wanted their questions to be answered.
• Developers wanted to begin an early a two-way discussion and have an agreed general policy as it would be difficult to make a solution for every single fisher.

All participants believed the two sectors can co-exist. A perceptual map of potential community benefit opportunities, produced in the study, indicated that several benefit sharing opportunities can benefit the fishing community. Examples are:

• Community funds for the needs of the fishing community, part of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) community benefit fund from offshore wind could be used for the needs of the fishing community
• Alternative or additional employment opportunities for fishers, especially, those who have fishing vessels which are qualified for doing standby duty if their license would allow (as in the UK)
• Harbour or slipway improvements

The research which includes the opinions of offshore wind energy developers and diverse fisheries people in 10 fishing ports of Ireland, will contribute to:

• A path to grow trust building between developers and fishers in the future; and
• Reflect elements that may affect the management strategies of co-existence and community benefits over time.

The study suggested that further research is needed in two key areas:

• There is a strong need to understand the socio-economic impact of offshore renewables on fishers, fish catches, as well understanding any impact on fish populations and fish behaviour; 
• In order to address one of the main concerns of fishers, that of sea space limitations, there are possible advantages to multi-use of space (co-location) of offshore wind energy with marine protection areas (similar to the practice in some parts of UK waters) or co-location with other fisheries sectors, such as aquaculture. This could be the focus of a future research.