Wind Farm and Fishing
The distribution of space between the wind farm and the fishery
On the Breton coast, fishing is a very important activity that has existed for several centuries. By setting up in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc, the wind farm must therefore meet new challenges in order to settle in harmony with the environment. Ailes Marines has consulted with the professional fishermen concerned and has made significant changes to the layout of the farm and its implementation. The aim is to optimize its integration into the bay and to facilitate its cohabitation with fishing activities.
The Bay of Saint-Brieuc is a major scallop fishing area. To preserve this activity, the wind farm is located outside the main scallop deposit. It has also been moved 6 km to the north to get away from the main scallop fishing area.
sequencing of work to reduce the impact of the project on fishing activity
Follow-up of the orders temporarily regulating maritime activities in the bay during the construction of the wind farm
Open part of the concession
- RAuthorized navigation
- RAuthorized fishing
Work area
- RNavigation authorized subject to compliance with the prohibition to stay within 500 m of vessels in the yard
- QFishing 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
N°2022/023
N°2022/036
N°2022/046
N°2022/154
N°2022/196
N°2022/233
N°2022/249
N°2023/028
Information measures
- RConsultation
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.
- RTransparency
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.
- RManagement and Monitoring Committee
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 official consultation meetings, but also more than 1000 informal meetings have been organized by Ailes Marines since the beginning of the project.
- RAdditional 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.
Technical measures
- RTied up 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.
- RReduced 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 distance between the turbines (1300 metres instead of the original 1000 metres). This makes it easier for ships to navigate within the park.
- RMinimization of 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.
- RJacket type foundations
At the underwater level, jacket-type foundations were preferred to gravity foundations, despite the geotechnical difficulties of the site.
Financial measures
- RSupport
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.
- RRegional fishing bodies
To carry out this project, Ailes Marines is working closely with the fishing authorities in the region.
Thus, since 2012, it has financed a position of wind power project manager dedicated to the project within the Departmental Fisheries Committee (CDPMEM22).
- RCompensation and indemnification
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 euros per year for the Comité National des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins (CNPMEM)
800 000 € per year for the Comité Régional Bretagne des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins (CRPMEM Bretagne)
800 000 € per year for the Comité Départemental des Côtes d'Armor des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins (CDPMEM 22)