Safeguarding Fishing in a Complex Offshore Seascape

From the South West to the North East, the fishing industry operates in an increasingly crowded seascape and, alongside other users of marine space, must navigate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), offshore wind development and associated infrastructures. Beyond fisheries, food and livelihoods, the seabed and coastline are seen as critical for the UK’s economy, nature restoration and the delivery of net zero commitments.

Already the second largest offshore wind market in the world, the new Government has pledged to quadruple the UK’s offshore wind energy production by 2030. The Climate Change Committee has advised the UK will need 140GW to meet net zero by 2050. This development will require space. In support of this and development of offshore wind projects in the seabed areas it holds, the Crown Estate recently published a Future of Offshore Wind report. Part of its Marine Delivery Routemap, the report outlines the Crown Estate's vision for the 'what, where, when and how' of future offshore development, posing a number of questions for stakeholders and other users of marine space. Currently before the House of Lords, the Crown Estate Bill aims to speed up delivery of this vision. However, more than just pressures on space, there are several unknown unknowns surrounding the social, economic and ecological impacts of this significant wind energy development.

This event will hear from a group of panellists who are working to navigate and collaborate across the complex and evolving seascape around the UK, answering key questions relating to the consequences of offshore wind development for fisheries, and providing examples of what has worked and what hasn’t as part of this development process, to date. Looking to future seascapes, panellists will share their insights into what could be done in support of a coherent, integrated policy and planning framework that is effective and inclusive, and can ensure adequate space for competing marine needs, while safeguarding fishing livelihoods and the environments on which they depend.

Contribute to the discussion on X using #NavigatingForSpace, or find out more on the APPG on Fisheries website.