Fishing industry benefits from floundering Dutch offshore wind sector
The Dutch Government is accommodating the fisheries sector on several fronts in the latest draft amendment to the North Sea Programme, according to the Dutch Fishermen's Association (Nederlandse Vissersbond).
"Not only has the target for offshore wind energy been adjusted from 50 to 21 gigawatts, but space is also deliberately left for fishing activity in the future wind farm zone 6/7," said the organisation.
The Lagelander wind farm zone, located west of Texel and Vlieland, has been scrapped. Because of its great value for sole fishing, this area will no longer be designated as a wind farm area or as a future search area.
In the new wind farm zone 6/7, an open zone of 1,520 to 1,620 square kilometres will be kept free of wind turbines, which will preserve an important langoustine cutlery and allow the current fishing activities in this area to continue.
"The Dutch Fishermen's Association has worked intensively in recent years to achieve these outcomes," said the organisation.
"We did this in good cooperation with PO Urk. In 2023, several card sessions with members took place, resulting in a joint sector proposal. This proposal was presented to the authorities involved and substantiated by an extensive memorandum in which it was argued that space for fishing should be retained in the development of wind area 6/7.
"Several consultations were also held with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and other parties involved. The fact that this commitment is now reflected in the draft amendment to the North Sea Programme can be seen as an important step forward as a sector."
"As a sector, we have contributed intensively and presented our positions clearly," added Ben Scholten of the Dutch Fishermen's Association.
"The preservation of space for fisheries in the new plans is a recognition of the values we represent and the position we have as a sector. We are pleased with this result and grateful for the constructive cooperation with the national government."
