Chapter 6 : Infrastructure Strategy
Regarding offshore renewable energy installations: Commercial sea fishing is a long standing, pre-existing and traditional activity in the marine environment. The evaluation and consideration of potential impacts on any commercial sea fishing activities needs to be given consideration as part of any planning/proposal process and during the development process itself. It is imperative that engagement should be sought with the fishing industry and other relevant stakeholders at as early a stage as possible, and at every stage of any planning/proposal process and during the process itself, to discuss any changes that may affect them to afford a chance for their input. Fishers’ interests, access to fishing grounds, and livelihoods must be fully recognised and taken into account.