The UK's Sky News reports that a group of fishers in Cornwall have expressed concerns that the construction of new offshore wind farms in Cornish waters and nearby areas would threaten to greatly reduce the number and size of their available fishing grounds.
The Cornish Fish Producers' Organisation (CFPO) refers to the announcement by the UK Crown Estate that companies wishing to put up offshore wind farms will be able to lease "areas of opportunity" in the waters off the North East and the Celtic Sea around Cornwall, Devon, and South Wales.
CFPO Chief Executive David Stevens said his group fears that they will be "squeezed out of the way" by the wind farm construction projects in the areas where they traditionally fish.
Mr Stevens assured that the CFPO still welcomes renewable energy as it is "definitely the way to go forward." However, he reiterated that there needs to be a balance between energy security and food security.
The Crown Estate has meanwhile assured Sky News that it will continue to seek stakeholder feedback and opinions so that the development of offshore wind projects will still proceed while "taking into account the needs of different sectors – including fishing – and the natural environment."