Ireland's fishing crisis: Trawler operators fear they will lose out to offshore windfarms

Concerns over loss of fishing waters and how construction and operation of windfarms may scare fish from traditional grounds

Ireland's first operational offshore windfarm at the Arklow Bank off the Wicklow coast. Phase two of the project is in the pipeline. Picture: Neil Michael

Shudders went through the fishing industry just before Christmas with the announcement of Maritime Area Consents for seven offshore windfarms.

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan trumpeted the allocation of the seven seabed leases as “a significant milestone on the pathway to decarbonising energy supply”.