- Fund will support both inshore and offshore fishing initiatives for local fishers.
- First offshore Fisheries Charter in Ireland – commits project to engagement with fishers, sustainable development and protecting biodiversity on the Codling Bank.
- Project also considering other projects to support local fishers, including a Lobster Hatchery.
Tuesday 2nd May 2023: Codling Wind Park is establishing a dedicated €500,000 Fisheries Fund to benefit the fishing industry operating within and around the Codling Bank area of the Irish Sea. The €500,000 fund will have a €100,000 annual budget to support different initiatives for the next five years.
The fund will support opportunities for both inshore and offshore fishing by fishers associated with Codling Wind Park. Fishers are being asked to bring forward their own ideas about how the fund should be used. The project’s Fishing Engagement Manager meets regularly with local fishers and will discuss the terms of reference and progress proposals for the fund directly with them.
In addition, to the fund, Codling Wind Park also confirmed it will consider other ideas to support fishers, including helping establish a lobster hatchery. The lobster hatchery would involve raising and releasing young lobsters back into the Irish Sea to increase fishing opportunities in the area. The project is engaging with fishers on this proposal which would significantly support a sustainable and productive fishery in the area.
Codling Wind Park has also published a Fisheries Charter or code of practice, which will guide its engagement with fishers and its care of marine life on the Codling Bank.
The Fisheries Charter, which will be the first code of its type between an offshore wind developer and fishers in Ireland, commits Codling Wind Park to a range of sustainable development practices and responsible stewardship of the waters and seabed on the Codling Bank.
Speaking at the announcement of the Fisheries Fund and Charter, Co-Project Director of Codling Wind Park Scott Sutherland said: “The purpose of this fund is to support initiatives that could be of benefit to fishing communities, rather than benefitting one individual fisher over another. For example, adding value to a fishery, improving port infrastructure, improving safety, or exploring innovation and fishery diversification.”
“This €500,000 fund will help support the fishing industry and long-term sustainable fishing on the Codling Bank. We want to work with the fishers in the area to develop the terms of reference for this fisheries fund to ensure the funds generate maximum benefit for the fishing industry into the future. We want to hear from the fishers about what they think this fund should be used for.”
Also speaking at the announcement, Co-Project Director Thomas Gellert said: “We are making a commitment to the fishers who use Codling Bank that we want to help them build a sustainable future. We have been engaging with fishers for a long time now on a wide variety of issues. One of the key benefits of this engagement is that we have been able to share with each other our different perspectives and see how the development can and will co-exist with the fishery.”
“We are also very proud to be the first developer in Ireland to publish a Fisheries Charter which commits the project to engaging fairly with fishers, to boosting marine biodiversity and to developing sustainable fishing practices.”
Codling Wind Park, which is a 50/50 joint venture between Fred. Olsen Seawind and EDF Renewables will be located approximately 13 to 22 kilometres off the Co. Wicklow coast between Greystones and Wicklow Town. When operational, it will generate up to 1,450 megawatts (MW), enough electricity to power up to 1.2 million homes and support Ireland’s 2030 offshore wind targets.
The renewable energy project is also examining design options to support biodiversity across the Codling Bank. The final design is being completed and will be presented to the public later in the year ahead of the project’s planning application.
To submit an idea or proposal for the €500,000 Fisheries Fund, please contact:
Fisheries Engagement Manager Courtney French (Courtney.French@codlingwindpark.ie)
ENDS
Contact
-
Kieran Garry
GPR Communications - Mobile: +353 87 2368366
- Email: kierangarry@gprcomms.com
Notes to Editors
About Codling Wind Park
Codling Wind Park is a proposed offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea, approximately 13-22 kilometres off the County Wicklow coast, between Greystones and Wicklow Town.
Codling Wind Park is a 50:50 joint venture between EDF Renewables and Fred. Olsen Seawind. With an expected capacity of up to 1,450 megawatts (MW), it has the potential to supply the equivalent of up to 1.2 million Irish homes – 70% of all Irish households – with low-carbon, locally-produced, low-cost electricity and to save almost 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
About EDF Renewables Ireland
EDF Renewables Ireland is part of one of the world’s largest electricity companies, operating in more than 20 countries around the world. Through its investment and innovative approach to renewable energy projects, it is reducing costs for consumers and bringing significant benefits to communities.
The Irish team has a wealth of experience in bringing complex development projects to fruition, across onshore and offshore wind, solar PV, and battery storage technology, and is supported by more than 400 colleagues in the UK.
In addition to the 50% interest in Codling Wind Park, which EDF Renewables Ireland acquired in 2020, the company is the sole owner of Wexford Solar, which includes eight solar projects across Ireland and has an Irish onshore development pipeline of almost 1GW.
In the UK, EDF Renewables has an operating portfolio of 36 wind farms and two battery storage units (together totalling almost 1GW).
For further information, visit www.edf-re.ie.
About Fred. Olsen Seawind
Fred. Olsen Seawind AS is an established offshore wind developer building on Fred. Olsen Renewables’ 25 years wind track record, market presence and portfolio.
Fred. Olsen Renewables was involved in Codling from 1999 to 2022 when it was transferred to Fred. Olsen Seawind
Utilising the extensive experience in Scotland gained through over 25 years of development, construction, and operation of onshore wind Fred. Olsen Seawind is committed to progressing offshore wind projects in Ireland, Norway and Scotland and is exploring opportunities in new markets.
For further information, visit www.fredolsenseawind.com.