The project will develop an economic analysis of the complex interactions between wind energy development at sea and the structure of fishing activities, considering the cumulative impacts of multiple wind farm developments on spatial crowding of fishing areas, the associated changes in economic incentives for fishers, and the resulting changes in fishing activities.

It will involve case studies of offshore wind energy developments and their interactions with commercial fishing in France and Australia. Surveys of key stakeholders will be carried out to gain insights into the main adaptive responses likely to be observed from the fishing industry following the implementation of wind energy projects, as well as drivers and constraints likely to influence these responses.

Using the increasingly fine-resolution data available regarding the spatial distribution of commercial fishing activities and production as well as data relating to the economic operations of fishing fleets, the research will develop and apply spatial econometric modelling techniques to examine the potential impacts of alternative wind energy development scenarios at multiple scales (from local to regional), and assess cumulative impacts across projects.

Results will be used to inform alternative approaches to factoring fishery impacts in the strategic planning of offshore wind development.