Investigating the co-existence of fisheries and offshore renewable energy in the UK: Identification of a mitigation agenda for fishing effort displacement

The increased demand for sea space for renewable energy developments and marine conservation will have impacts on the fishing sector. As a consequence, it is imperative to understand the ways in which fisheries and renewable energy interact and explore the potential for co-existence. In this paper we investigate the challenges for co-existence between the two sectors, and explore a mitigation agenda for fishing effort displacement in the UK. Data were collected through stakeholder questionnaires and two stakeholder workshops. Thematic analysis was carried out to identify the key challenges faced by stakeholder groups. The research identifies as three key priority areas for this agenda: developing efficient and cost-effective mechanisms for overcoming data issues for assessment of fishing effort displacement; the development of appropriate methods of assessment; and the development of an acceptable consultation protocol between MRE and fishing sectors agreed on by all stakeholders.