Traditionally, the north Norfolk coast has been home to a thriving and diverse fishing industry, which operated right throughout the North Sea. Fish such as herring, plaice, cod, and sole provided many people with employment, both directly in fishing and in other associated industries such as vessel maintenance and service, fish preparation and processing, etc.

Fishing industry

The size and associated catch of the fishing industry has steadily declined over recent years. Closure of fishing fleets in the East of England, have made ports such as Lowestoft depressing symbols of the state of fishing industry in many areas of Britain. However fishing activities continue to evolve and operate around the north Norfolk coast. There are fishing bases in towns such as, Blakeney, Wells, Cromer and Sheringham.

Today there is still a viable and relatively stable shell fishing industry in Greater Wash waters. Shellfish such as crabs, lobsters, mussels and shrimp (among others) can be found off the coast of Norfolk.  

North Norfolk is renowned for the 'Cromer Crab' and it is considered one of the cultural culinary dishes to try when visiting the area. Cromer Crabs are also exported throughout the country and beyond! Crab pots are used to catch crabs off the coast; each boat can potentially manage in-excess of 200 pots per trip. The crabbing season is generally from March to September each year and the lobster season generally throughout the year.

Fishieries studies and consultation

Scira recognises that the sea has a multitude of users and that wind farms must be considered in the context of all users of the sea, including fishermen and their associated industry and activities.

Scira has a dedicated Fishing Liaison Officer (FLO) who has been consulting with local fishermen and other parties to ensure that their concerns are fully understood.

Scira has now completed its specific commercial fisheries surveys, which have been used to assess fishing activity and the resource in and around the area of the proposed wind farm.

Additionally, a limited number of local potting vessels visit the site targeting crabs and lobsters.

Results of the Surveys

The wind farm location is not a primary fishing area and does not support as much fishing effort as the banks and shoals to the west of the site. No significant trawling activity was observed within the proposed wind farm area and only limited long lining on a seasonal basis has been reported.

All potential impacts identified during the construction phase are assessed as negligible to commercial fisheries, other than loss of fishing area which is assessed as being minor adverse for the six or seven inshore static gear vessels that regularly operate in the wind farm site area.

All potential impacts identified during the operational phase are assessed as negligible to commercial fisheries, other than interference to fishing activity for those static gear vessels operating in the area, which is assessed as being minor adverse.