Co-location of fisheries and offshore wind farms: current practices and enabling conditions in the North Sea

Owusu Bonsu, Prince; Letschert, Jonas; Yates, Katherine; Christian Svendsen, Jon; Berkenhagen, Joerg; Rozemeijer, Marcel; Kerkhove, Thomas R.H.; Rehren, Jennifer; Stelzenmüller, Vanessa

Abstract

Current expansion in offshore wind farm (OWF) development is resulting in increased
spatial conflicts with other uses. In the North Sea, marine spatial planning (MSP)
processes include co-existence strategies, with co-location between fisheries and
offshore wind farms often discussed. However, current legal regulations and the lack of
adequate scientific evidence to document economic viability of proposed passive
gears, coupled with uncertainties regarding the implementation approach, continue to
limit progress in developing co-location solutions. We synthesized current regulations
and practices relevant to offshore wind farms and fisheries and conducted spatialtemporal overlap analysis of pot and trap fisheries targeting crustaceans in offshore
wind farms to understand their potential for co-location. Our results showed the largest
potential for co-location of pot and trap fisheries targeting crustaceans is located in
OWFs that already exist or will be constructed until 2030. We also identified 1) gaps in
fisheries and (OWF) regulations and 2) sector challenges that hindered the successful
implementation of fisheries and offshore wind farm co-location. We discuss and
recommend enabling conditions, including more science-based evidence on socioeconomic and ecological viability of passive fisheries in offshore areas. Experiments on
pot and trap gear safety and spillover evidence of artificial reef effects (AREs) are
needed to inform the implementation of new safety distances and economically
beneficial passive fisheries. Finally, we highlight needs for new insurance regimes and
straightforward funding provision to support transitions to co-location and absorb the
shocks from mobile fisheries displacement

Citation

Owusu Bonsu, P., Letschert, J., Yates, K., Christian Svendsen, J., Berkenhagen, J., Rozemeijer, M., …Stelzenmüller, V. (2024). Co-location of fisheries and offshore wind farms: current practices and enabling conditions in the North Sea. Marine Policy, 159, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105941

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 13, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 27, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-01
• Deposit Date: Nov 15, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 28, 2025
• Journal: Marine Policy
• Print ISSN: 0308-597X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 159
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105941
• Publisher URL: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/marine-policy/