Fishermen facing headwinds : a quantitative approach to evaluating fishing grounds and measuring the impact of offshore wind on the commercial fishing industry

Abstract

In this thesis, we investigate the impact of developing offshore wind farms in Træna on the local community and the fleet operating in the respective areas. In particular, we evaluate the catch value within each offshore wind farm area, and measure the following externalities, specifically detours caused by spatial occupation. We develop a model that locates catch value using position data and apply the distribution of this catch value to data without coordinates to create the best possible value estimate of specific areas, as well as using the position data to estimate detours and the consequent externalities of the detours. Our findings suggest that the negative impact of offshore wind on the commercial fishing industry, compared to the uncertainties surrounding future profitability of offshore wind, advocate that the decision regarding development of offshore wind in Træna should be made in coexistence with fishermen and that their opinions should weigh heavily.