SWEDISH FISHERMEN CONCERN OVER OFFSHORE WIND POWER EXPANSION

The Swedish Fishermen’s Producer Organisation (SFPO) says the marine wind power industry claims to work for coexistence with commercial fishing – but of all the now almost 100 projects underway, not a single wind power company has discussed the choice of location with the fishermen before the projects have chosen the location. When the marine wind power industry claims to work for coexistence with commercial fishing, we note that they are not honest.

The Swedish Fishermen’s Producer Organisation (SFPO) is Sweden’s largest organisation for professional fishermen and represents the interests of its members. SFPO has about 250 member vessels. The members’ total turnover was estimated at more than SEK 400 million for 2022.

A statement on their website says: “There are places that are suitable for marine wind power and there are places where we do not fish that are suitable. Why hasn’t a single wind power company talked to us, which has the sea as its workplace, before starting costly processes and then striving to make Swedish fishing in good and important fishing places impossible? The wind power industry seems to ignore the fact that the areas are of national interest, in the same way as they seem to ignore the Swedish production of marine food.

“Recently, SFPO participated in an information meeting arranged by the Swedish Energy Agency and the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management. Those who want to see marine wind power everywhere praised the meeting and we, who do not want to see marine wind farms in good fishing places, note that the information meeting was a disaster. The meeting really showed that it’s about us and them. There was no opportunity to ask questions orally (had one hand up for almost an hour without reaction) and so-called greens and wind power lovers bombarded the meeting with written positive questions.

“The meeting confused commercial fishing with sea-based farming – why? The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management participated to the highest degree at the meeting without saying bottle in this part. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management has designated areas of national interest for commercial fishing, but seems to ignore the fact that the areas – one by one – want to be used by the marine wind power industry.

“The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management is no friend of Swedish commercial fishing. Nevertheless, it is the authority that regulates the conduct of fishing. This is done in a way that seems to aim to make Swedish commercial fishing impossible in the future – they oppose commercial fishing, in conflict with the common fisheries policy and political objectives, and regard the industry as a special interest. The Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management does not appear to speak on behalf of commercial fisheries in any positive way with regard to the expansion plans of marine wind power.

“It is time for all Swedish fishermen to understand that it is now serious. The wind power industry wants to take our fishing grounds away from us.

SFPO will shortly arrange one or more manifestations for commercial fishing, more information will come in the weekly newsletter.”

Source:  Den oärliga marina vindkraftsindustrin – Sveriges Fiskares Producentorganisation (sfpo.se)