With the drive to achieving Net Zero by 2050 leading to a growth in offshore wind farms, and Wales playing a key role in this sector of the green revolution, Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Senedd for Aberconwy and Shadow Minister for Climate Change, has challenged the Welsh Government to take steps to assess the impact of large-scale wind farm developments on marine life and the fishing industry in Wales.
Responding the Shadow Minister’s Written Question, Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, has stated that “Officials are working with partners to understand the potential effects and are liaising with industry and with NRW, Defra and the Crown Estate and contributing to UK research initiatives”.
Commenting on the Welsh Government response, Janet said:
“Last year, Wales declared a nature emergency and we cannot let that policy be drowned by offshore developments.
“As the Minister has rightly acknowledged, significant growth in offshore wind is anticipated and there are concerns there may be adverse effects on fish and fisheries.
“I welcome the fact that Welsh Government officials are now working with industry, NRW, Defra, and the Crown Estate to understand the potential effect.
“We want a sustainable future for both our fisheries and fish, so I very much hope that understanding potential effect will lead to policies to mitigate any negative impact.
The offshore wind potential in Wales includes approximately 4GW of upcoming additional offshore wind developments off the North Wales coast, and the potential to generate 70GW of electricity from floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea.
ENDS
Written Question:
Janet Finch-Saunders MS:
What steps is the Minister taking to assess the impact of large-scale windfarm developments on the fishing industry in Wales?
Response by Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change:
‘Significant growth in offshore wind is anticipated and I am aware of concerns there may be about adverse effects on fish and fisheries.
As the industry increases in size and moves further offshore, and as new floating offshore wind is developed, the nature of impacts may change and it will be important to understand these.
Officials are working with partners to understand the potential effects and are liaising with industry and with NRW, Defra and the Crown Estate and contributing to UK research initiatives.
Offshore wind developers consult the fishing industry early when developing plans and the reduction of impacts on established uses, such as fishing, is a consenting consideration’.
