The wind farm
& fishing
On the Breton coast, fishing is a very important activity and has existed for several centuries. By setting up in the bay of Saint-Brieuc, the wind farm must therefore take up new challenges to establish itself in harmony with the environment. Ailes Marines consulted the professional fishermen concerned and made major changes in the layout of the wind farm and its implementation. The goal is to optimize its integration into the bay and facilitate its cohabitation with fishing activities.
The division of space between the wind farm and the fishery
The Bay of Saint-Brieuc is a mecca for scallop fishing. To preserve this activity, the wind farm is therefore located outside the main scallop fishing area. It has also been moved 6 km northward away from the main scallop fishing area.
Sequencing of works to reduce the impact of the project on fishing activity
Follow-up of orders temporarily regulating maritime activities in the bay during the construction of the wind farm.
- ROpen part of the concession
- NAuthorised navigation
- NFishing allowed
- Work area
- NNavigation allowed subject to the prohibition to stay within 500 m of the vessels of the yard
- MFishing and underwater activities prohibited
n° 2021/056
n° 2021/080
n° 2021/102
N° 2021/108
N° 2021/114
N° 2021/118
N° 2021/139
N° 2021/147
N° 2021/167
Information measures
Concertation
Upstream, Ailes Marines has set up a dialogue with the various organisations of fishing professionals.
This permanent dialogue, thanks in particular to a wind power project manager within the CDPMEM22 (see below), has made it possible to jointly define the locations and periods of the scientific and environmental campaigns.
Transparency
Ailes Marines wishes to be transparent about the implementation of the project. It therefore wishes to involve fishermen in scientific campaigns at sea.
The Company has also implemented regulatory monitoring during the investigation phase and additional measures requested by the Scientific Council and the Management and Monitoring Committee (see below). The goal is to ensure the conditions for maintaining fishing within the future wind farm.
Further studies
In addition, to meet the expectations of the committees, Ailes Marines has conducted numerous studies and notes.
The results of the various studies carried out were then transmitted and/or faithfully reported at specific meetings with the fishing industry or on the occasion of the management and monitoring committees (see below). The CDPMEM22 also participates in scientific studies on fishery resources by identifying fishing vessels in the bay which take scientists on board.
Management and Monitoring Committee (MMC)
Ailes Marines informed and participated in the Management and Monitoring Committee as well as the Scientific Council under the aegis of the Prefect of Côtes d'Armor.
Finally, more than 120 formal consultation meetings, but also more than 1000 informal meetings have been organized by Ailes Marines since the beginning of the project.
Technical measures
Reduced number of wind turbines
The number of wind turbines installed has also been reduced from the 100 turbines planned at the beginning of the project to 62 at present.
This increases the spacing between the wind turbines (1300 meters instead of 1000 meters initially planned). This makes it easier for ships to navigate within the wind farm.
Minimising the impact on fisheries
To minimize the impact of the wind farm on the fishery, the lines of wind turbines are oriented on a heading of 314°.
They therefore follow the axis of the tidal currents and offer the possibility of fishing with chest (trawling for example) in the wind farm. It is also possible to fish in the area with traps or nets.
Jacket type foundations
At the underwater level, jacket-type foundations were preferred to gravity foundations, despite the geotechnical difficulties of the site.
Silage cables
Finally, an ambitious objective of ensouiling 100% of the installed cables (i.e. 100% of the ferry cables and 100% of the inter-wind turbine cables) has been set for 2020, for maximum maritime safety for all users of the sea and fishing activities.
For these silage operations, Ailes Marines has set aside a budget of 10 million euros and developed specific tools.
Financial measures
Fishing authorities in the region
To carry out this project, Ailes Marines is working closely with the fishing authorities in the region.
Thus, since 2012, it has been financing a position of Wind Energy Project Officer dedicated to the project within the Departmental Fisheries Committee (CDPMEM22 ).
Support
Ailes Marines offers its support to sustainable fishing projects.
Ailes Marines has financed campaigns for the reseeding of scallops and the eradication of crepidula.
It also offers a contribution for the promotion of trades and seafood products. Similarly, Ailes Marines has financed studies related to the economics of fisheries.
Indemnities & compensations
During the construction period of the wind farm, Ailes Marines provides compensation for the professionals impacted by the progress of the construction site.
It will also pay the statutory wind tax, which will benefit professional fishing organisations. This sum will be paid every year for 20 years, starting from the commissioning of the park. It will be distributed as follows:
- 1.2 million per year for the Comité National des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins (CNPMEM)
- 800,000 per year for the Brittany Regional Committee for Sea Fisheries and Marine Farming (CRPMEM Bretagne)
- 800 000 € per year for the Côtes d'Armor Departmental Committee for Sea Fisheries and Marine Livestock (CDPMEM 22)